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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 





' 



LIFE 



BISHOP WILSON, 



CALCUTTA. 






EEV. JOHN N. NORTON, D.D., 

RECTOR OF ASCENSION CHITECH, FEANKFOET, KT. 

AUTHOR OP " ROCKFORD PARISH ;" " SHORT SERMONS '," " LIFE OF 

GENERAL WASHINGTON," ETO, 



" He still lives by his good works, and has left, in his character and example, a 
rich Inheritance to all time." — Address of the Clergy of Ceylon. 



NEW YORK: 
General Protestant Hjn'sropal =Suntia» School ffilnion 



ano (£t)ui*d) 3Soofe ^oc(ctj), 

762 BROADWAY. 
1853. 



3?*, /fr- /■if-. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, 

By the General Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union 
and Church Book Society, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Southern District of New York. 



1. I» 1 I* *" 



William Denyse, 

stereotyper and electrotype^ 

183 William Street, N. T. 



* *S, 






PUBLISHED 



THROUGH THE 



OF 



CAMBRIDGE, 

MASSACHUSETTS. 



THE RT. REV. GREGORY T. BEDELL. D.D., 



It was my privilege, during my Seminary course, to be a frequent 
attendant upon your ministrations in New York, and my first and 
only parish had received, in its early days, most generous assistance 
from yours, in remembrance of which it bears its name. These 
facts suggested the propriety of 

©etucatmg this 33ooft to ¥ou, 

I trust that the liberty thus taken may not be displeasing to you, 
since the memory of Bishop Wilson must be dear to your heart. 

That God may grant you a long and honored career, like his, is 
the writer's humble prayer. 

1* 



"Bishop Wilson's energy, his truly evangelical love of souls, his 
distinguished liberality, his missionary spirit, his fearlessness in 
speaking out whatever he thought ought to be said, his simplicity 
and transparence of character, his love for Holy Scripture and for 
prayer, his fervent personal piety— all these rightly won for him the 
reverential affection of all who were brought near him." 

Church Journal for April 4th, 1860. 



" Daniel Wilson was a model, as a Christian Bishop— the most 
admirable combination of evangelical truth and apostolic order of 
whom we have ever read. He dearly loved the Gospel. Christ 
was to him all in all. At eighty-six, he was as full of zeal and lovo 
for the salvation of souls as in the early hour of holy devotion to 
the ministry of reconciliation ; and withal he was so sound, so true, 
so earnest a Churchman, in the very best sense of that much-abused 
word, that he seemed the imbodiment of the principles of our glo- 
rious Keformation, breathing the very spirit, as he held fast by the 
Scriptural doctrines, of the Prayer-Book." 

Southern Episcopalian for May, 1860. 



PREFACE. 



As a college student, the writer used to recite, on Mon- 
day mornings, a very profitable lesson from Bishop Wil- 
son's Evidences of Christianity — a work referred to in the 
narrative which follows. Having formed the acquaint- 
ance of this good man thus early in life, he always read . 
with interest whatever was published, from time to time, 
concerning his abundant labors in India ; and he regards 
it as a high privilege, indeed, that he is permitted, 
through these pages, to do something towards perpetuat- 
ing his memory. 

The life of Bishop Wilson, by his son-in-law and first 
chaplain, the Bev. Josiah Bateman, is a treasure-house of 
facts, and this unpretending volume could hardly have 
been prepared without it. But while the clergy will never 
complain of that work as being too long, there are thou- 
sands of the laity who would never find time to read it. 
We trust, therefore, that we are introducing the late 
Bishop of Calcutta to many who might otherwise have 
been almost strangers to him. 

Whatever faults may be found in regard to arrange- 
ment or style, the writer is confident that all must give 
him credit for the strictest honesty of purpose, and a sin- 
cere desire to record nothing but the truth. 

Fbankfoet, Ky., Nov., 1860. 



Fbom Greenland's icy mountains, 

From India's coral strand, 
"Where Afric's sunny fountains 

Eoll down their golden sand ; 
From many an ancient river, 

From many a palmy plain, 
They call us to deliver 

Their land from error's chain. 

What though the spicy breezes 

Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle, 
Though every prospect pleases, 

And only man is vile : 
In vain with lavish kindness 

The gifts of God are strewn ; 
The heathen in his blindness 

Bows down to wood and stone. 

Shall we, whose souls are lighted 

"With wisdom from on high — 
Shall we to men benighted 

The lamp of life deny ? 
Salvation ! oh, Salvation ! 

The joyful sound proclaim, 
Till each remotest nation 

Has learned Messiah's name ! 

Bishop Hebeb. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Pass 
Birth and parentage -Proper treatment for a puny infant — At 
school when seven years old— Placed under Mr. Hackney's 
care — " Not Worth flogging" — Idleness cured— Engages in bu- 
siness — Some early reminiscences— Letter to a school compan- 
ion— Eoutine of daily employment -A true portrait, with all 
its lights and shades— The heart under the degrading influ- 
ences of sin—" Pray for the feelings" — God's gracious deal- 
ings— Finding peace for the soul 15 



CHAPTER II. 

Difficulties in the way of entering the ministry- Consultations 
with several clergymen— His father consents to his leaving 
business — Enters St. Edmund's Hall— Mr. Pratt— Remem- 
brances of the worthy Vice-Pre4dent — Resistance of tempta- 
tion — Confirmation — Letter to his mother— Passes the final 
examination with honor — Prize essay — Singular coincidence — 
Ordination— Becomes Mr. Cecil's curate — Abundant labors — 
Above the influence of petty jealousy— Appointed to a tutor- 
ship at Oxford — Marriage — Some account of Mr. Wilson's 
children 



CHAPTER HI. 

Duties at Oxford— Curate of Worton— Attempts to benefit the 
undergraduates— Upper and Lower Worton— A striking con- 
trast—" He knows almost everything"— Prosperity of Zion-^- 
Called to another field — St. John's, Bedford Row— Reason for 
making this change — Unselfishness — A scattered congregation 
soon rallied — The preaching of " Christ crucified" — Graphic 
picture*— Interesting incidents — Large Confirmation — Evi- 
dences of pastoral fidelity— Outside labors— Scene at a dinner- 
table— Mrs. Fry— Habits of prayer— Failing health— Yisit to 
the Continent— First lessons in the school of affliction 50 



CHAPTER IV. 

Mr. Wilson appears in another pulpit— Islington— The last in- 
cumbent—One party delighted, and the other apprehensive — 
The new Vicar's first sermon— Waiting the Lord's good time- 
Worldly wisdom— All difficulties harmonized — " No such 



X CONTENTS. 

Pags 

thing as getting a comfortable game at cards !"— Sitting in the 
pulpit— Efforts for additional church accommodation— Diffi- 
culties in the way — The first meeting of the vestry — A third 
service begun— Improving health— Circular letter in regard to 
building new churches — The final adoption of the plan pro- 
posed—Application to the Church Commissioners—" I am like 
unto them that dream"— Fifteen Sunday-schools established. . 76 

CHAPTER V. 

A storm brewing — The afternoon lectureship— A long and pain- 
ful struggle brought to a peaceable end— Persuasive influence 
— The Cross taken up— Severe affliction— Mrs. Wilson's sick- 
ness and death — "The same yesterday, and to-day, and for- 
ever"— Eesignation— Large Confirmation — Preparation for 
first Communion— Prosperous condition of the parish — Conse- 
cration of the three new churches— Freedom from debt— Ap- 
pointment of clergymen— The Lord's work prospering 91 

CHAPTER VI. 

The private journal once more resumed— Mr. "Wilson enters 
upon his fifty-third year — Honest confessions of a contrite 
heart — Islington in an uproar — Cause of the disturbance— The 
prayer of faith receives an answer of peace — A voice from 
India— Death of Bishop Turner— Difficulty in finding a suc- 
cessor—Mr. Wilson offers to go — His motives scrutinized — 
Consecration — Preparations for leaving England — Sets sail for 
Calcutta 102 

CHAPTER VII. 

Making good use of a sea voyage— Daily routine on ship-board 
— Interesting letter to the Dean of Salisbury — The dark and 
bright sides of the picture— Desire to glorify Cod — An unex- 
pected visitor— Ten days well spent— Affecting farewell— More 
diligent than before— Sickness breaks out— First sight of India 
— Landing at Calcutta 112 

CHAPTER VIH. 

The Bishop's installation— Kind address to the clergy— Jurisdic- 
tion of the Bishop of Calcutta in 1832— A wise division of so 
vast a field— First sermon in the Cathedral— General inspec- 
tion of schools and missionary societies— The civilities of life 
— Bishop's Palace— " Enough for six months !"— Preparing to 
live— Marriage of a daughter — Two years for acclimation — 
Impossibility of pleasing everybody— Wisdom justified of her 
children — Personal habits — Modes of gaining information — 
Friendly and confidential intercourse with the Governor-Gen- 
eral—Attending to business on horseback—" Lord William is 
less of a Churchman than I could desire" 120 



CONTENTS. XI 

CHAPTER IX. 

PA8K 

Details of labor— Difficulties in the Free School, and measures 
taken to reconcile them— Publication of Paine's " Age of Rea- 
son" — Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity — Clerical 
meetings — Their effects— Bishop's college — The new Bishop 
does his duty as a visitor— First Ordination in India — A holy 
week — Large Confirmation — The " seven duties" — Not too 
late — An awkward interruption— Conversion of the natives — 
The Bishop visits an interesting mission — Christianity and 
Paganism side by side — Baptism administered — " Good, 
good" 129 

CHAPTER X. 

Unhappy divisions among Christians a hindrance to the Gospel 
— Bishop "Wilson discourages a spirit of proselytism — Estab- 
lishment of infant schools— Successful experiment — Extract 
from a Bengalee paper— The Bishop's efforts in behalf of steam 
navigation between England" and India — The wide space 
bridged over by Oriental steamers — Renewal of the East In- 
dia Company's charter— The King authorized to make some 
important changes in Church affairs — Bishop Wilson's joy at 
the dawn of better days — The Dioceses filled, and the new ma- 
chinery set to work 139 

CHAPTER XI. 

The want of suitable places for public worship — A feasible plan 
for remedying the evil — Its gratifying results — A knotty ques- 
tion, which led to some difficulties— The Bishop loses confi- 
dence in public men — Preparations for a visitation of his Dio- 
cese — His first charge to ttie clergy— Departure for Penang— 
What happened there — A flourishing nutmeg plantation, and 
its clerical owner— An amusing incident— Arrival at Singapore 
— Its religious destitution — Some important steps taken — Pres- 
byterian scruples removed 160 



CHAPTER XII. 

Malacca caught napping — Result of the Bishop's visitation — 
Moulmein— Yellow robes and shaven heads— Hopeful pros- 
pects — Spicy breezes from Ceylon— Three weeks of constant 
labor— Dangerous passage to Madras— Narrow escape from 
shipwreck — An especial "errand, and not a pleasant one The 
caste question— No more half-way measures — Winnowing the 
chaff from the wheat — Time-serving policy of the Government 
—Proceeds to Tanjore— " The track of the holy and beloved 
Heber" — Reception at Tanjore— The old native priest— Secret 
aspirations 160 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Paob 
Most unpromising condition of affairs— Looking to God for help 
— Swartz's grave — Interesting services — Efforts to bring the 
native Christians to a better mind — Journey to Trichinopoly 
— Service in the Mission Church — Bishop Heber-The Caste 
question again — Meeting the difficulty boldly— Some changes 
for the better— Ordination atTanjore— A rallying-point gained 
— Happy six months — Safe arrival at Calcutta 176 



CHAPTER XIV. 

At home, but not idle— Changes in the Government, and depart- 
ure of friends — An affecting duty — Lord William returns 
home — Perplexing questions settled — The Bishop resumes hia 
visitation— Entrance gate to the Syrian churches— Brief ac- 
count of them— Services at Quilon — Sets out for the interior — 
Preaches at Allepie— Attempts to benefit the Syrian Christians 
— The College at Cottayam — Bishop Wilson waited upon by 
the Syrian clergy — His conferences with them — " Never again 
shall I behold such a sight" « ] 



CHAPTER XV. 

Hurrying onward to Cochin — Intercourse with white and black 
Jews — A word of . xhortation, which was not very favorably 
received — Confirmation at Cochin— Visit to several Syrian 
churches — General impressions concerning their spiritual 
state— Old Goa— St. Francis Xavier— The City of Churches- 
Military station at Belgaum— Sixteen days spent in Bombay- 
Preparations for a long land journey 199 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Poonah and Kirkee — New Year's blessing— Eeady for marching 
— Horse and foot — The Sepoy guard — Order of proceedings — 
Temperance lecture — Enters the territories of the Nizam — A 
nice church, but one seldom used — The effects of plain preach- 
ing under certain circumstances— Lay rending recommended 
— The Bishop of Madras sends a warning, which is unheeded 
—Braving dangers Standing up for the order of the Church.. 211 



CHARTER XVII. 

Jyepoor— Journey to Delhi— Mosques and palaces— Holy Week 
at Meerut — Four thousand Christians— A well-spent week — 
Confirmation — Visiting the sick — Sudden illness — Himalaya 
Mountains — Mussooree — Building a church — Deo grati as- 
Perilous journey — Arrival at Simlah — Four months' compara- 
tive rest — Preparing a volume of sermons for the press 2 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

Page 
Again on the march— Transition from cool to hot— Takes boats 
at Roopur — Xo vain boast — The watch-house of Lahore- 
Journey to Kurnaul — First ordination of a Brahmin convert— 
Roman Catholic priests sent for in haste — Arrival at Delhi — 
Colonel Skinners noble vow — Consecration of St. James' 
t church — Impressive scene— Agra— Trying wheel- carriages — 
'Condition of roads— JSiew Year at Eareilly— bowing in tears, 
and reaping in joy— Futtygbur— Cawnpore — Difficulties set- 
tled—Extensive charities — Futtchpore — Pilgrim tax— Aboli- 
tion of an evil practice— Death of Bishop Corrie— Passage to 
Calcutta — Thanksgiving 285 



CHAPTER XLX. 

Home work once more— Funeral sermon for Bishop Corrie — A 
few wt-eks well filled up — Short missionary tour — City of 
Krishna — The faithful Weitbrecht — Scriptural names — An 
elephant teaching a lesson of patience — Loss of friends — The 
beginning of 183s— Prediction concerning the " Oxford School" 
of theology — Sermon by a Brahmin convert — Ignorance of 
decorum— "Reflections on Easter Day — Entering upon his six- 
ty-first year 250 



CHAPTER XX. 

Another charge to the clergy—" The Tracts for the. Times'"— Set- 
ting out on a second visitation — Remarkable answer to prayer 
— A new friend — Grief for the death of Sir Benjamin Malkin — 
State of Church affairs at Malaga— Goa's un.-eurchabie judg- 
ments — Singapore— A whole community " coming round J — 
Chittagong — Sir William Jones— Arrival of a new chaplain — 
The Bishop resumes his old college duties— Course of Lent 
lectures — Plans for building a new cathedral — " My Lord, it is 
all yours"— Laying the corner-stone— The great work begun.. 261 



CHAPTER XXI. 

A Macedonian cry — Wonderful awakening among the natives — 
Putting the sickle into the; harvest — The Bishop goes himself 
to share in the glorious work — Seventy-two native villages in 
one missionary circuit — The baptism at Anunda Bass — " We 
renounce them all" -The Bishop goes on his way rejoicing — 
A city set on a hill — Quiet rebuke, which accomplished its 
purpose— Land march begun— Two churches consecrated at 
Cawnpore — The same duty performed in other places — " Faint, 
yet pursuing"— A long journey safely ended. 2T8 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Pagb 

A few troubles to disturb the smooth current of events— Oxford 
theology again— The Plymouth Brethren make a convert- 
Efforts to bring back the wandering sheep -Watching the ca- 
thedral — All Calcutta mad after the world— & short visitation 
— Sunday at Sythet— Hiding in boats and on elephants— Chirra 
Poongee — Supremacy of the Holy Scriptures defended- First 
metropolitan visitation— Doings at Madras — Caste difficulties 
— Moving onward— Khenia's tomb— Syrian churches— Disap- 
pointed hopes- At Bombay — Thanksgiving sermon on reach- 
ing home 281 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

On board ship — "Works of faith and love — Serious illness— Con- 
secration of church at Almorah — Preparing a book for his 
diocese — Farewell to Simian- Another severe attack — The 
Bishop returns to Calcutta — Departure for England— Sum- 
mary of thirteen years' labor— Oner more at Islington — What 
was accomplished during his visit— A last farewell— Arrival at 
Calcutta — " I must go softly" — Consecration of the cathedral 
— " Dying charge" — A new visitation begun 5 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

Reception at Bombay — Colombo —Over-work at Madras — Illness 
— Ordered to sea — New palace — Visitation resumed — Thirty- 
six days fully occupied— Consecration of a church in Borneo — 
Sickness of Professor Street — The differences between good 
men fading away — Growing old — Another faithful charge — 
Picture drawn by the Bishop of Victoria— Arrival of a grand- 
son—Inauguration of the East India Railway— Consecration 
of the Bishop of Labuan ( 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Last charge to the clergy— Seventh visitation— Brave old man- 
Failing strength— His resolution to die at his post — The In- 
dian mutiny — Trying the effect of sea air— Last Ordination — 
Confined to the bed—" I am talking in my sleep"— All is peace 
— Funeral solemnities — Brief epitome of his labors — Character 
— His benefactions— Peculiarities 319 



LIFE OF 

BISHOP WILSON, 



€\mkx first 

BIRTH AND PAEENTAGE PEOPEE TEEATMENT FOR A 

PUNY INFANT AT SCHOOL, WHEN SEVEN TEAES OLD 

PLACED UNDEE ME. HACKNEY'S CAEE — " NOT WOETH 

FLOGGING" LDLENESS CUBED ENGAGES IN BUSINESS 

SOME EAELY REMINISCENCES — LETTEE TO A SCHOOL 

COMPANION EOUTINE OF EAELY EMPLOYMENT A 

TEUE POETEAIT, WITH ALL ITS LIGHTS AND SHADES 

THE HEAET UNDEE THE DEGEADING INFLUENCES OF 

SIN "PRAY FOE THE FEELINGS" GOD'S GEACIOUS 

DEALINGS. 

) HE general interest felt in Bishop 
Heber by all Christian people, has . 
brought India close to the hearts 
of thousands. Those who followed 
him in his high office might feel 
assured that there would be many 
to watch their labors and to rejoice in their 
success. But aside from any such adventi- 




16 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

tious circumstances, the subject of this me- 
moir was quite too remarkable a man to make 
it necessary that his importance should be 
increased by borrowing from the reputation 
of others. Our readers cannot fail to be 
interested in tracing his eventful career. 

Daniel Wilson, the eldest son of Stephen 
and Ann Collett (West) Wilson, was born in 
Church Street, Spitalfields, London, July 2d, 
1778. His father was a silk manufacturer — 
a worthy and excellent man, and a devout 
Christian. Mrs. Wilson had early in life 
chosen " the good part," and was an exem- 
plary wife and an affectionate mother. 

Daniel, being a feeble infant, was sent to 
the country to be nursed, and to enjoy the 
benefits of purer air. By proper attention, 
he grew up to be a healthy, vigorous boy, 
and no one who observed his firm step, 
buoyant spirits, and intellectual countenance, 
would have supposed him to be the same per- 
son whose early days had been so unpromising. 

At the age of seven, he was sent to a pre- 
paratory school at Eltham, in Kent. In his 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 17 

tenth year he was placed under the care of 
the Kev. John Eyre, in Hackney. This re- 
spected clergyman eked out the inadequate 
salary derived from the regular duties of his 
office by teaching a small school. He soon 
learned to appreciate the character of Daniel 
Wilson, and said : " There is no milk-and- 
water in the boy ; he will be something, 
either very bad or very good." 

One day, in a fit of idleness and perversity, 
the lad not only refused to do his accustomed 
work, but neglected an additional task which 
had been set him as a punishment. Mr. 
Eyre, passing through the room, saw he was 
wasting his time, and remarked, with some 
sharpness : " Daniel, you are not worth flog- 
ging, or I would flog you." This stirred the 
boy's pride at once, and he was never accused 
of idleness afterwards. Indeed, he became 
so persevering and pains-taking, that on one 
occasion, finding himself unable to master 
his appointed lesson, he declined going to 
breakfast, saying, " JSTo ; if my head will 
not work, my body shall not eat." 
2* 



18 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Mr. Eyre soon became proud of his pupil, 
and always spoke of him as possessing an 
intellect of the highest order. Daniel Wil- 
son loved his teacher, and in after years he 
used to ask his advice in cases of doubt and 
difficulty. He remained at school until his 
fourteenth year, when he was taken into the 
warehouse of Mr. William Wilson, a near 
relative by blood, and his maternal uncle by 
marri; 

Daniel now found himself in a new world. 
His uncle was an extensive silk manufacturer 
and merchant — a strict and just man — ex- 
pecting in others the industry and persever- 
ance which he practised himself, and holding 
out the prospect of preferment to such as 
deserved it. Daniel thus speaks of this 
period of his life : " My parents, for the first 
years of their marriage, were a kind of loose 
Church people, from the want of piety in 
their parish ministers, attending regularly at 
Mr. Eomaine's, of Blackfriars Church, in the 
morning of the Sunday, and at the Taber- 
nacle, I suppose, in the evening. When 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 19 

their young family found the distance from 
Blackfriars inconvenient, they attended at a 
dissenting meeting-house in their neighbor- 
hood in the morning, and at Spitaltields 
Church in the evening. My schoolmaster, 
however, being a clergyman — though not 
strictly regular — I was accustomed to the 
Church service during the four years of my 
residence with him. 

" When I went to live with my uncle, be- 
fore I was fourteen, an entire change took 
place in these respects; for he was a strict 
and conscientious Churchman, attending first 
Mr. Romaine, and after his death, Mr. Crow- 
ther, of Christ Church, Newgate Street, Mr. 
Cecil, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Basil Woodd. My 
prejudices, therefore (for I had no religion), 
were then in favor of the Church of England, 
and though the predilection was slight before 
I went to college, it became, from the mo- 
ment I entered the University, so deeply con- 
scientious, that I have never done any one 
act inconsistent with the bonds of that com- 
munion from that period." 



W LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

The records of his first three years of 
service are somewhat scanty. His daily 
duties are described in the following letter to 
a school companioD (named Yardy), with 
whom, for a short time, he carried on an 
active correspondence. 

•■ February 16, 1797. 

" My individual employment is not labori- 
ous, l.ut it is constant. Our usual hours of 
work are from six o'clock in the morning till 
eight o'clock in the evening, in the summer; 
and from clock in the morning till 

in the evening, in winter, so that you 
Bee I have bul little time to myself. After 
eight o'clock, in general. 1 am at liberty to 
read or write alone, till supper-time, which 
is at halt-past eight o'clock or a quarter of 
nine ; and after this I sit reading with the 
family till ten o'clock, when my uncle calls 
them to prayers, and all go to bed. But as 
my leisure moments were by these regula- 
tions exceedingly circumscribed, I have al- 
ways been accustomed to spend a couple of 
hours in my room before I retired to rest. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 21 

Then 1 used constantly to study my Latin 
and French, so that I am making consider- 
able progress in both." 

As it is our purpose to give a true portrait 
of Daniel Wilson, unbiassed by prejudice, 
we must allow him to mention some things 
in regard to his early religious character, not 
much to his credit. We can not, however, 
fail to admire the straightforward honesty 
which led him to acknowledge his faults. 

" As far back as I can remember [he says] 
my whole heart was given to sin. Even 
when a boy at school, when particular cir- 
cumstances recur to my mind, I am shocked 
at the dreadful depravity of my nature as it 
then discovered itself. I have indeed pro- 
ceeded in a regular progression from the less 
sins of bad books, bad words, and bad de- 
sires, to the grosser atrocities of those em- 
phatically known as ' the lusts of the flesh.' 
I was constantly acting against a better 
knowledge. I had received a religious edu- 
cation, and had been accustomed to a regular 
attendance on public ordinances. I could 



W2, LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

criticise a sermon, and talk and dispute 
about particular notions; but I loved my 
sins, and could not bear to part with them. 
1 never had gone so far as to deny any one 
of the doctrines of the Gospel. I acknowl- 
i them to be true, but for want of that 
: sary attendant, self-application, I could 
bear whole sermons, hut not a word belonged 
to me! I took a false idea of the Gospel, 
and, from this distorted view, dogmatically 
pronounced ii out of my power to do 
ing; and so, hushing my conscience 
with - having done all I could,' I remained 
very quietly the willing slave of sin and 
Satan." 

The atmosphere of the warehouse in which 
Daniel Wilson passed his time was by no 
means favorable for growth in grace, or even 
for much serious thought. All was bustle 
and confusion during the day, and at night, 
when the restraint of the master's presence 
was withdrawn, the young men indulged in 
much vain discourse, and I am sorry to add 
that our holy religion was spoken of with. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 23 

little reverence or respect. The spirit of the 
age was skeptical, and it is hardly to be won- 
dered at that a youth full of self-will, and 
fond of self-indulgence, should yield to sur- 
rounding temptations, and be found at last 
sitting with composure in the seat of the 
scorner. 

But the Holt Spieit did not cease to 
strive with him, and he thus describes some 
of God's gracious dealings with him : " One 
evening (March 9th, 1796), I was, as usual, 
engaged in wicked discourse with the other 
servants in the warehouse, and religion hap- 
pening (humanly speaking, I mean) to be 
started, I was engaged very warmly in deny- 
ing the responsibility of mankind, on the 
supposition of absolute election, and the lolly 
of all human exertions where grace was held 
to be irresistible. (I can scarcely proceed 
for wonder that God should have upheld me 
in life at the moment I was cavilling and 
blaspheming at His sovereignty and grace.) 
We have a young man in the warehouse 
whose amusement for many years has been 



24: LIFE OF BI6HOP WILSON. 

entirely in conversing on the subject of reli- 
gion. He was saying that God had appoint- 
ed the end — he had also appointed the means. 
J then happened to say that I had none of 
those feelings towards God which he required 
and approved. 'Well, then,' said lie, 'pray 
for the feelings.' I carried it off with a joke, 
but the words at the first made some impres- 
6ion on my mind, and thinking that I would 
- ;y 'I had done all I could.' when I re- 
tired a1 night 1 began to pray for the feelings. 
It was not long before the Lord in some 
measure answered my prayers, and I grew 
very uneasy about, my state." 

Young Wilson immediately sought an in- 
terview with his old teacher, Mr. Eyre, and 
the letters which passed between them showed 
how earnest the penitent must have been in 
his inquiries after truth, and how faithful the 
spiritual adviser whose counsels had been 
asked. His parents were soon made ac- 
quainted with his state of mind, and in reply 
to a letter from his anxious mother, he writes 
as follows : 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 25 

April 7, 1796. 

"I have received your letter, and would 
answer in sincerity your solemn query, How 
is it between God and your soul? 

" What shall I say ? How is it between 
the great omnipotent God, the creator and 
preserver of my life, in whom I live and 
move and have my being, and the soul of 
me, a worm of the earth, who exists only at 
His will ? Awful thought ! But this is not 
all. How is it between a just and holy God 
— a God of infinite purity — and my soul full 
of corruption and pride ? How can I answer 
such a query \ 

" But when I add to these considerations, 
that while this God has been blessing me 
with the blessings of His providence, while 
He has been continuing me in life, and pre- 
serving me from every danger, I have been 
transgressing against Him in the most aggra- 
vated manner, against light and knowledge, 
and even now daily transgress against Him ; 
I say, when I think on this question in connec- 
tion with these ideas, I know not what to reply. 



26 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

" This I know and feel, that I have forfeit- 
ed His favor ; that in me does not my help 
lie ; that the curse of God is upon me. and 
that it is because lie is God, and not man. 
that it has not long ago been executed. This 
also I am sensible of, that the curse may be 
executed this night, that mv breath is in my 
nostrils, and that if I this night should be 
cut off, I should sink — where '. Into that 
tremendous place where the ' worm diethnot, 
and the tire is not quenched.' 

" But I have cried unto the Lord for mercy, 
and do endeavor still to cry unto Him, from, 
as it Mere, the very mouth of hell. And I 
have some faint hopes that the Lord will be 
merciful unto me and bless me. And this 
pursuit I hope and trust I shall never relin- 
quish till I am blessed with an answer of 
peace. 

" Oh ! my dear mamma, it is not the 
pleasures of this life, nor the possession of 
its vain riches or honors which I seek after. 
No ; but it is even the happiness of my im- 
mortal soul, which must exist for ever and 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 27 

ever. Oh ! may the word Eternity never 
enter my ears without impressing my heart." 
At the time of which we are speaking, that 
excellent man, the Eev. John Newton, was 
rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, and Daniel 
Wilson, who had often attended upon his 
ministry, now derived much benefit from his 
counsels and prayers. For months and 
months, however, he continued to have 
doubts and misgivings, and to distrust his 
own purposes of good ; but at last he was 
enabled to throw himself unreservedly upon 
the promises of God in Christ Jesus. On 
the first Sunday in October, 1797, he received 
the Lord's Supper at the hands of Mr. Eyre, 
drawing near in faith, and taking " that holy 
Sacrament to his comfort." In speaking of 
this important step, in a letter to a young 
friend, he remarks: "Never did I enjoy so 
much the presence of my dear Redeemer, as 
I have since that time ; and this, not so much 
in great sensations of pleasure, as in broken- 
ness of heart, and, I trust, in sincere desires 
to be devoted to His glory. Yesterday and 



20 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

to-day have been, I think, the happiest days 
I ever remember. The Lord shines so upon 
my soul, that I can not but love Him, and 
desire no longer to live to myself, but to 
Him. And to you I confess it (though it 
ought, perhaps, to be a cause for shame), that 
i have felt great desires to go or do anything 
to spread the name of Jesus, and that I have 
even wished, if it were the Lord's will, to go 
as a missionary to heathen lands." 



Chapter JSwMtb. 



difficulties ik the wat of entering the ministry 

consultations with sevesal clergymen — his 

father consents to his leaving business enters 

st. edmund's hall — me. pratt — remembrances of 
the worthy vice-principal — resistance of tempt- 
ation confirmation letter to his mother 

passes the final examinations with honor 

prize essay singular coincidence — ordination 

becomes mr. cecil's curate abundant labors 

above the influence of petty jealousy ap- 
pointed to a tutorship at oxford marriage 

some account of mr. wilson's children. 

LTHOUGH Daniel Wilson's thoughts 
were now turned towards the sacred 
ministry, and friends with whom he 
is$ advised encouraged him to prosecute 
his studies, there were difficulties in 
the way not easy to be overcome. 
His father was decidedly opposed to this 
plan, having entertained sanguine hopes that 
his son might become a successful man of 
business ; and he had occasional apprehen- 
sions himself that his desire to become a 
3* 




30 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

clergyman might be only another evidence 
of the pride of heart which was one of his 
besetting sins. 

Mr. Eyre and Mr. Newton were consulted, 
and, after some time of anxious suspense, the 
idea occurred to him that the Rev. Rowland 
Hill might help him to discover the path of 
duty. The young man was kindly received 
by the eccentric clergyman of Surrey Chapel, 
who inquired minutely into his family rela- 
tions, his motives, and wishes, and finally 
expressed a hope that if the thing was really 
of the Lord, it might eventually prosper. 
This interview with Mr. Hill was followed, 
seme months afterwards, by one with the 
Rev. Richard Cecil (one of the excellent of 
the earth) ; and at last all obstacles were 
happily removed, and with a heart full of 
thankfulness he makes this record in his pri- 
vate journal: 

" Ok ! the wonders of the Lord's goodness ! 
My dear father let me go to Mr. Cecil's and 
Mr. Goode's, and they, after due examina- 
tion, gave their opinion that I was called of 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 31 

God to the ministry. 2Iy father consented 
to my leaving business. In a few clays I am 
to go and enter myself at, St. Edmund's Hall, 
Oxford, and be at Mr. Pratt's as a private 
pupil till I am ready to reside in college. 
My dear uncle has conducted himself with 
the greatest kindness during the whole mat- 
ter, and has readily consented to the arrange- 
ment made by my father. The Lord has led 
me by a way that I knew not. To His great 
name be all the glory !" 

In accordance with the plan thus proposed, 
Daniel Wilson went up to Oxford, and enter- 
ed himself at St. Edmund's Hall, on the 1st 
of May ; and in the same month he writes 
to his mother from Doughty Street, Russell 
Square, where the Eev. Josiah Pratt then 
resided : 

" The desire you expressed to hear from 
me as soon as I was comfortably settled here 
has not been forgotten. I am encircled with 
mercies. In every point of view I find my- 
self, as to outward circumstances, in the best 
possible situation. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are 



32 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

extremely good-tempered and agreeable, and 
very pious. My fellow-students (two), though 
not serious, have been educated in a Mora- 
vian college, and are very civil, moral youths. 
I have a most beautiful prospect from my 
room over the fields, unobstructed by any 
houses. So much as to outward blessings ; 
but these are nothing compared with spirit 
ual, though all should exeke gratitude from 
him who is unworthy of any." 

At the age of twenty, Daniel Wilson began 
in good earnest to prepare himself for that 
holy calling which he was so Long to adorn 
by his life and conversation. He not only 
applied himself with all diligence to study, 
but improved every favorable opportunity of 
doing good to his former companions, who 
might have received injury from his evil 
example in time past. The vice-principal of 
St. Edmund's Hall, at this period, was the 
Rev. Isaac Crouch, wlio exercised a most 
beneficial influence over the young men in- 
trusted to his care. Thirty-four years after- 
wards, Daniel Wilson, writing to him from 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 33 

the Indian Ocean, says: "I look back now 
with fond delight to my introduction to you 
on April 30th, 1798. I recall your friendly 
advice, cautions, and instructions. I remem- 
ber the Greek Testament lectures (of which 
I have my short-hand notes still), the delight- 
ful dinner parties, the Sunday-evening read- 
ings, the various scenes where I used to see 
your friendly countenance, and where I used 
to pass such happy hours with Mr. Greig, 
William Marsh, Cawoocl, and others. Many 
and many a reflection, dropped by you in 
conversation, now returns to my mind with 
double force. Accept, then, once more, my 
best acknowledgments. I have now in my 
cabin your present of Yan-der-Hooght's 
Hebrew Bible, given me by you in 1801. 
It has been my companion ever since. Its 
binding has become again as old as that 
which you replaced by so splendid an exte- 
rior, thirty-two years back." 

Our young collegian was thrown amongst 
those, at Oxford, who were extravagant in 
their habits, and who ran recklessly into 



34 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

debt; but lie so carefully husbanded the 
hundred guineas a year which his father 
allowed him, that his expenses were kept 
within his income, although a desire to pos- 
sess some new or valuable book was a tempt- 
ation hard to be resisted. 

The Church very properly permits persons 
to come to the Holy Communion before they 
have received the apostolic rite of " laying 
on of hands," in case they are " ready and 
desirous to be confirmed." It was on this 
condition that Daniel Wilson had been ad- 
mitted to the Lord's Supper. On the 7th of 
June, 1799, he was confirmed by the Bishop 
of Chester, the Bishop of Oxford (Dr. Small- 
well) being then too ill to discharge the du- 
ties of his office. Months passed away with 
little worthy of record. After spending the 
holidays in the bosom of his father's family, 
we find him once more at the University, 
entering upon his third and last year. A 
letter to his mother, dated January 12th, 
1801, discloses the state of his mind and 
heart. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 35 

"The time I spent with you in town ap- 
pears to me now like a dream that is passed 
away. Thus it is that our life is hastening 
along. One scene presents itself, and then 
vanishes; a second follows, and disappears 
in like manner. Now we are well ; anon 
sickness seizes us. At this moment, every- 
thing is prosperous and comfortable ; the 
next, all is dark and miserable. 

"From reflecting upon these changes, how- 
ever, we may learn two important lessons — - 
the one solemn, the other encouraging. It is 
a solemn consideration that, amidst all the 
fluctuations of life, we are still making rapid 
advances towards eternity. Every wave, 
whether placid or turbulent, wafts us nearer 
to that awful shore. Like a ship which con- 
tinues to make its way, whatever the passen- 
gers on board may be doing, we are perpetu- 
ally hurried forward, whatever may be our 
employments. 

" But as this is a solemn thought, so is it 
encouraging to contrast the uncertainty of 
all things here below with the unchangeable- 



36 LIFE OF -BISHOP WILSON. 

ness of our gracious and Almighty Lord. 
This is our safety, that there is One who hath 
said, ' Because I live, ye shall live also ;' and 
that there is an unfailing fountain of love 
and mercy in Him to remedy all the evils 
of time, and to crown us with every bless- 
ing. 

" The more Satan can bring us to look 
upon the waves, the sooner we shall sink. 
It is when faith is fastened upon a crucified 
Jesus, that peace dwells in the heart, and' 
holiness adorns the life and conversation. 
God gives us his 'precious faith,' that, look- 
ing unto the great Captain of our salvation, 
and receiving every supply from his fulness, 
we may go o our way rejoicing. The com- 
mand is, • Rejoice in the Lord always.' May 
the Lord the Spirit produce in us continually, 
and enable us to know more of the power of 
that kingdom which is righteousness and 
peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." 

Young Wilson had applied himself so 
closely to study during his whole college 
course, that the approach of the final exami- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 87 

nation — an occasion of so much alarm to the 
dissipated and idle — gave him no particular 
uneasiness. He passed the trying ordeal 
with great credit to himself, and carried off 
the prize for an English essay on Common 
Sense. It is an interesting fact, that when 
he descended the rostrum, amidst the ap- 
plause of the audience, Reginald Hebee 
arose to recite his poem of " Palestine." 

There is something affecting in the picture 
of these two young aspirants, thus brought 
together in the morning of life, who were 
afterwards called to bear " the heat and bur- 
den of the day" in the same far distant field ; 
something, also, in the scrolls they held, 
characteristic of the men- — the one, throwing 
over India the charm of poetry, piety, and a 
loving spirit ; the other, stamping upon it 
the impress of Scriptural supremacy and 
evangelical truth; something of adaptation, 
also, in the divine ordering of those conse- 
crated spots where " they rest in their graves" 
— the chancel of St. John's, Trichinopoly, 
and the chancel of St. PauVs, Calcutta. 
4 



38 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Daniel Wilson himself referred in after 
life to this meeting in the Oxford Theatre: 

"Is it not a singular coincidence," he Baid, 
"that Heber, my revered, able, and pious 
predecessor, delivered his poem of 'Pales- 
tine' on the very day that I delivered my 
English prose essay on 'Common Sense?' I 
well remember, as 1 mine down from the 
rostrum, seeing Eeber, who sat immediately 
behind, testifying hie applause in the kindest 
manner, though I never made his acquaint- 
ance till July L'Utli, L812, when Mr. Thornton 
introduced him to me at St. John's Chapel, 
Bedford Row, after hearing me preach from 

lie: news ii. 3.* 

Mr. Wilson began his ministry under very 
favorable auspices — as curate, or assistant, of 
the Iiev. Mr. Cecil, rector of Cobham, a 
pleasant agricultural village in Surrey, and 
Bisley, a retired hamlet three miles distant. 
He makes the following entry in his journal, 
in regard to this most important step: 

" I am now numbered amongst the dressers 
* Bateman's Life of Wilson, p. 51. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 39. 

of God's vineyard. I entered into holy or- 
ders on the 20th September, by the imposi- 
tion of hands of the Bishop of Winchester. 
Whilst Mr. Cecil is absent, I shall have two 
sermons to preach weekly — one at Cobham, 
and one at Bisley. All difficulties having 
been removed by the help of God, I am now 
happily discharging my sacred functions. 
What I had prepared, being committed to 
memory, I was enabled to deliver freely. 
Nor have I to complain of any unkind recep- 
tion ; on the contrary, I have to acknowledge, 
with gratitude to God, that it was far beyond 
my expectations. 

"In my first sermon, I treated of the will- 
ingness of Christ to receive sinners coming 
unto him. * Him that cometh unto me I will 
in no wise cast out.' In the second, I en- 
deavored to explain the peace which Christ 
gave to His disciples — 'Peace I leave with 
you.' Grant, Almighty God, that these 
things, which by Thy grace have happily 
begun, may by Thy power be brought to a 
good result." 



40 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Towards the close of the year, the young 
clergyman was left with the whole duty of 
the parish upon him, which called forth all 
his energies, and taxed his strength to the 
utmost. 

Besides preaching three times a week, he 
was most faithful in visiting his people — 
going into every mud hut, and obtaining 
from Mr. Cecil himself (a man not accus- 
tomed to »Kal in empty compliments) the 
name of " The Apostle Wilson." 

lie began at first by writing his sermons 
fully out, and committing them to memory; 
but he soon adopted the plan of taking up 
notes only into the pulpit. 

His journal furnishes many little incidents 
which serve to illustrate his character. 

" I clearly perceive that my preaching is 
very bad," he remarks in one place. "It is 
all k vi et armis.' I make clamor and shout- 
ing and noise my helpers — as if sound with- 
out sense ever did any good. I must spare 
no pains to correct these faults, now I know 
them. I only grieve most deeply, that when 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 4:1 

Mr. Cecil in the kindest manner mentioned 
them to me, I perceived a secret sensation 
of anger, when I ought to have felt nothing 
but gratitude." 

Some persons are so mean-spirited as to 
feel jealous whenever another is commended 
for qualities which they are sensible of pos- 
sessing themselves in a smaller degree. ^N~ot 
so with Mr. Wilson. On one occasion, when 
he went up to Oxford for a short time, his 
place was supplied by his friend Marsh. 
We find this record in his journal, upon his 
return : 

" Praises of all kinds were showered on 
him, my people were so struck with his 
countenance, his address, his sermons, his 
courtesy, that they lauded him to the skies — 
God be praised !" 

Having labored two years at Cobham, 
some things occurred which changed his 
plans for the future. The following is his 
own account of the first of these events : 

"January 23, 1803. I have wonderful 
things to record. I have refused the curacy 
4* 



42 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

of Henley, which lias been offered to me, 
because, when I came here, I engaged to 
stay with Mr. Cecil three years. This being- 
settled, lo ! another matter, much more seri- 
ous, occurs. Mr. Crouch wishes to know 
whether I should be willing to return to 
Oxford, and, conjointly with himself, under- 
take the office of tutor at St. Edmund's Hall. 
It is to be with this understanding, that the 
lighter pari of the duty falls upon me at first, 
but that 1 should be prepared eventually to 
take the whole burden. The question is 
under consideration. The Principal has to 
be sounded. Mr. Cecil must be consulted 
and persuaded. Almost everything wants 
arrangement. May God's will be done ! 
This alone grieves and vexes me, that, with 
so great a matter hanging over me, I am so 
feeble in mind, so full of sin, so backward 
in prayer, watchfulness, and submission." 

The same subject is again referred to on 
the 9th of March, a day never forgotten by 
him : 

" Seven years have passed since the grace 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 43 

of God came with power to me, who was 
buried in total darkness. I acknowledge 
myself to he the vilest of the vile, and I 
grieve over it. Still the grace of God is 
exceedingly abundant towards me. T wish 
to be nothing, and would cleave to Christ 
only. 

"The Oxford business is approaching its 
completion. The Principal has consented. 
My parents acquiesce. Mr. Cecil, though 
disinclined, does not absolutely refuse. I 
have written to Mr. Crouch to say that I 
shall be ready to undertake it as soon as 1 
have fulfilled my engagement to remain with 
Mr. Cecil for three years. This must be 
done, unless Mr. Crouch can find some one 
whom Mr. Cecil would be willing to take in 
my place, and thus set me free. The will of 
the Lord be done." 

Several months passed away before Mr. 
"Wilson could secure a successor for his cu- 
racy, and it was not until November that he 
preached his farewell sermon and took his 
leave. Large congregations assembled to 



44 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

hear his parting counsels, and many teare 
were shed. 

The other event to which we referred was 
the marriage of the young clergyman with 
his cousin Ann, the daughter of his uncle, 
Mr. William Wilson, to whom he had been 
tenderly attached for several years. The 
ceremony took place on the 23d of Novem- 
ber. L803. 

A few words in regard to family matters. 
in this place, will not be amiss, especially as 
the happiness of Mr. AVilson for many years 
afterward- was greatly increased by his 
union with this lovely and excellent woman. 
As a daughter, she had her father's testimony 
that she had never given him one hour's un- 
easiness ; and after the death of a beloved 
mother, she had been a guide and protector 
to her younger sisters. Although naturally 
inclined to silence and reserve, when she be- 
came a clergyman's wife she gave up her 
habits of retirement, and interesting herself 
in her husband's work, she presided over his 
household with dignity and grace, and dis- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON". 45 

charged her appropriate duties in the fear of 
God. 

In November, 1805, his eldest son, Daniel, 
was born ; in September, 1807, his second 
son, John ; in June, 1809, his daughter, 
Amelia. These three were born in Oxford. 

In November, 1811, a second daughter, 
Ann Margaret, was born ; in March, 1814, a 
third daughter, Eliza Emma ; and in Novem- 
ber, 1816, a third son, William. These were 
born in London. Thus God " made him an 
house," and for nearly fourteen years (with 
one sad interruption, occasioned by the death 
of his infant daughter, Amelia, in 1809) the 
voice of joy and health was heard in it. 

Mr. "Wilson was always too much occupied 
with the duties of his office to spend much 
time with his children, and while he was 
ready to promote their good at any sacrifice, 
he did not enter into their pursuits, and was 
not as patient with them as some are. At 
the same time, probably no parent ever suf- 
fered more acutely than he did when they 
were sick or in trouble. 



46 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

After the deatli of little Ann, in 1818, he 
thus pours out his heart, in a letter to Mrs. 
Hannah More: "It is impossible for me to 
describe to you what we are going through. 
After the sudden death of one child — a lovely 
girl, about six years and a half old — a second 
child has been seized with sickness, and has 
now continued lor above seven weeks in a 
most affecting and alarming state. "We are 
watching our dear little t>oy dying before 
our eyes. He has been for eight days in 
perpetual convulsions, except as opiates com- 
for a time his agitated frame. The 
afflicted mother hangs over her suffering 
child with an anguish I cannot describe. 
Thus it pleases our heavenly Father to exer- 
cise us with by far the most severe trial we 
have ever known. 

" For myself, as a minister of the sanctuary, 
I am quite assured that God ' in very faithful- 
ness has caused me to be troubled.' I want 
bringing down. The natural tendency of 
my mind is towards excessive activity and 
bustle, with all the secret love of display and 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 47 

the praise of men which accompanies such a 
turn of character. I have now gone on 
seventeen years in the sacred ministry, with 
a large share of health and spirits, with some 
success in the great work of 'reconciliation' 
intrusted to me. Some late circumstances, 
in which I had, however, very little personal 
effort, have brought me still more before the 
public eye, and now my heavenly Father 
chastens me for my profit, that I may be a 
partaker of His holiness. He takes me aside 
from my public duties to private self-exami- 
nation, and he calls me from preaching to 
praying — from the instruction of others to 
the instruction of myself. He bids me look 
inward, and take the guage and measure of 
my heart. He commands me to be silent, 
and contrite, and interior in my religion. 
He is preparing me for comforting, perhaps, 
the minds of others with the comfort where- 
with I myself am comforted of God ; and 
whilst he confines me to the chamber of sor- 
row, is perhaps fitting me in some better 
manner to discharge those high and elevated 



48 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

duties of a steward of the mysteries of God 
which I have so little honored as I ought. 
Oh, that I may learn softness, confession, 
humility, and tenderness in this school of 
Buffering !" 

The little boy spoken of in this letter re- 
covered partially from this dangerous attack, 
and having survived until five years old, an 
object of si Licitude and tender sympathy, he 
gently pass< d away. 

Mr. Wilson's eldest-born, Daniel, was a 
greal comfort to his parents, and became a 
useful clei - r H being spa ed to labor 

for the go »d of souls. 

John, the second son, was led away from 
the path of duty by the seductions of bad 
companions, and finally retired to the Conti- 
nent, where he died in August, L833, sin- 
cerely penitent for his faults, and at peace 
witli God and man. His father was then in 
India, but his brother ministered at his 
dying couch. He was patient under the 
most intense sufferings, and thankful for 
every mercy, receiving the Holy Sacrament 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 49 

humbly, and finding it a means of grace to 
his soul. 

We have preferred to bring together these 
items concerning family matters, that the 
regular course of the narrative may not be 
interrupted by them hereafter. 
5 




er fftkirtr. 



DUTIES AT OXFORD CURATE OF WORTON — ATTEMPTS TO 

BENEFIT THE UNDEE-GRADUATE8 — UPPER AND LOWER 
WORTON — A BTBEKING OONTBAST — U HE KNOWS AL- 
MOST EVERY THING!" CALLED TO ANOTHER FIELD — 

ST. JOHN'S, BEDFORD BOW — REASON FOR MAKING THIS 
CHANCE — UNSELFISHNESS — A SOATTEBED CONGREGA- 
TION BOON RALLIED — THE PREACHING OF " CHRIST 
CRUCIFIED" GRAPHIC PICTURE — INTERESTING INCI- 
DENTS — LABGE CONFIRMATION — EVIDENCES OF PAS- 
TORAL FIDELITY — OUTSIDE LABORS SCENE AT A 

DINNEB-TABLE — MBS. FBI — HABITS OF PRAYER — 
FAILING HEALTH — VISIT TO THE CONTINENT — FRESH 
LESSONS IN THE SCHOOL OF AFFLICTION. 

N the year L804, Mr. Wilson was re- 
siding with his family in Oxford, 
where his collegiate office occupied 
him during the week, his Sundays 
being employed in officiating as cu- 
rate of Worton. When he began his 
duties at St. Edmund's Hall, he held a 
subordinate position, having Mr. Crouch to 
lean upon for counsel, and to aid him in diffi- 
culties. Three years afterwards, when his 
old friend retired from office, his responsibili- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 51 

ties were greatly increased. He thus writes, 
in January, 1807 : 

" Our friend Mr. Crouch has now resigned 
to me the whole management of the Hall ; 
and utterly incompetent, 1 am left alone. I 
can scarcely tell what I am to do, and what 
leave undone. Nevertheless, I must follow 
the leadings of God's providence. 

" The number of young men in the Hall 
at present, and the measure of their attain- 
ments, are not, perhaps, beyond my reach; 
but what plans may be adopted for the future 
1 know not. You will easily understand how 
much I am engaged, when I tell you that 
this next term I have to lecture on Aristotle 
and the tragedies of JEschylus; that the 
New Testament has to be critically and co- 
piously dealt with, and Aldrich's ' Ars logica' 
to be entered on. I will do what I can. If 
I cannot do for my pupils all that my wishes 
and the duties of my office require, yet 
nothing shall be wanting that good-will, 
kindness, and careful study can accomplish. 

" It seems to me that my main object must 



52 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

be so to instruct them in the saving knowl- 
edge of God, and so to imbue their minds 
(as much as in me lies) with true piety, that 
however little they may profit by me in 
secular matters, they may nevertheless learn 
to love God, to believe in Christ, and reject 
the vain traditions and fancies of men, to 
estimate aright the value of the soul, and to 
know and be ready to proclaim the excellent 
glory of iln- < Iross. U they know and under- 
st ind these things savingly and experiment- 
ally, they know all. 

'•So far as all this goes, my opinions re- 
main unchanged and immoveable, though I 
know well that I am unable to follow them 
diligently, or carry them out successfully by 
my own power and might." 

Besides the regular lectures and other in- 
structions, Mr. Wilson sought to be useful to 
the under-graduates, by inviting them, in 
small parties, to the familiar intercourse of 
his house and table. His good intentions 
were, however, in a measure, defeated by a 
gravity and coldness of manner which left an 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 53 

unpleasant impression, making even social 
gatherings partake too much of the character 
of meetings for business and duty. His pu- 
pils, however, honored and admired him, and 
his influence was very generally felt. Thus 
much for his college duties. 

His pastoral labors at Worton are those in 
which we feel most interest. There are two 
Worton s — Upper and Lower — little villages 
lying between Bambury and Woodstock, in 
Oxfordshire ; the population consisting of 
farmers and agricultural laborers, and both 
places united not exceeding two hundred 
souls. A small church belonged to each 
village, where the people enjoy the privi- 
leges of religious worship. 

Some of Mr. Wilson's predecessors in this 
curacy had been extremely careless in the 
performance of their duties, and every thing 
had fallen into sad neglect. 

The contrast between this and his earnest 
and laborious ministry must have been very 
striking. At the close of the year 1803, he 
thus writes to his mother : 
5* 



54 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON 

%, I am called a laborer, a minister, an am- 
'<»]•, a porker with God; may I fulfil 
the solemn dntiee which these titles imply, 
and which they require of me! An idle 
laborer, a - minister, an unfaithful 

Bteward, a false ambassador, a sleeping 
bring down upon himself a 
tenfold destruction. 

•• 1 wish, my dear mother, to be more like 
Mak', itting of Jesus, and learn- 

ing Bis words. I wish to be more like 
[ba mi, who cried aloud and Bpared not, in 
showing bifi people their transgressions, and 
the ln.ui.-e oi Israel their sins; I wish to be 
more like St. 1'ai L, instant in season and 
out of season, reproving, rebuking, exhorting, 
with all long-suffering and doctrine; above 
all, it is my prayer to have in me the same 
mind which was also in Christ Jesus, to Lave 
Christ formed in me, to walk worthy of the 
Lord unto all well-pleasing, being- fruitful in 
every good work, and abounding in the 
knowledge of God. 

" I have now two parishes on my hands, 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON - . 55. 

where death and sin and darkness have 
reigned uncontrolled. Jesus is here un- 
known, grace is here a stranger, holiness is 
neither understood nor desired. All is under 
the power of the ' strong man armed.' But 
the Bible teaches me a charm which has a 
sovereign efficacy : ' I, if I be lifted up, will 
draw all men unto me.' ' The weapons of our 
warfare are not carnal, but mighty through 
God.'' ' We have this treasure in earthen 
vessels, that the excellency of the j)Oiver may 
be of God, and not of us.' These are my 
first principles. This is my system. I desire 
to preach ' peace by Jesus Christ,' and then 
pray for the spirit of Jesus to apply it 
savingly to the heart and conscience. I am 
only ashamed that I do it so weakly and 
imperfectly." 

Throwing aside all stiffness and formality, 
the zealous curate endeavored to adapt him- 
self to the capacities of his rustic congrega- 
tions, and illustrations for his discourses were 
freely drawn from the seed, the sack, the 
common, or the farmer, husbandman, and 



56 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

gardener. On one occasion he had been 
preaching on the resurrection of the body, 
and had dwelt upon the dying of the grain 
of wlnat ere it springs up to new life. Two 
farmers were standing by the porch, after 
service, when one remarked: "There, you 
see. he knows a'most every thing. He told 
us truly how the seed dies afore it grows. 
He is not like our parson, who scarcely 
knows the difference he! ween a cow and the 
moon." 

"I remember," said a laboring man, who 
had beer referred to for recollections of these 
days, "when one time he was speaking of 
victory over Bins of the heart, and lie im- 
pressed his thoughts upon us by saying, in 
hi.- earnest way, * Now, if you want to sub- 
due sin in your hearts, you must encourage 
all that is holy there. He who will keep 
tares out of the sack, must fill it up with 
wheat.' " 

Doddington is a large village in the imme- 
diate neighborhood, and the people were 
busy enclosing the common. "Mark," he 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 57 

said, " the way to heaven is not like an open 
common, with very many ways running 
through it, bat a road fenced on both sides 
by the word of God." 

Occasionally, there was a rapidity of utter- 
ance in the pulpit, and an impetuosity of 
manner ; but this was not habitual or con- 
stant. His delivery was quiet and deliberate, 
and so distinct that the whole sermon was 
often taken down, in common writing, from 
his lips. He was very close in his appeals to 
conscience, and so solemn and impressive in 
his warnings and exhortations, as to produce 
a trembling awe. "Pray, do not let Mr. 
Wilson preach here again," said a lady to 
her minister, in an adjoining parish, "he 
alarms me so !" And this was doubtless 
sometimes true, for he was in earnest, and 
could almost say, with the Apostle, "Whether 
we be beside ourselves, it is to God; and 
whether we be sober, it is for your cause; 
for the love of Christ coustraineth us." 

The effect of all this was not sudden, but 
progressive, and it may encourage some who 



58 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

think th.it they are laboring in vain, and 
spending their strength for nought, to listen 
to his own aeeount. Id July, 1804, he writes 
to his friend -Air. Pearson: "My Worton 
nock improves very little, if you speak of 
true religion. I cannot, however, say that 
my ministry has been altogether unsuccess- 
ful." In May, 1806, he writes again: u We 
.in-' "ii well in our churches. Thecon- 
tions are numerous and attentive; and 
on Sunday last we had fifty-eight communi- 
cants. I hope the Lord is doing something 
for as, and that several are seeking a better 
country, even a heavenly." 

Again, in January, 1S0T : "A certain 
measure of success attends me at Worton. 
Tht* congregations are numerous for the 
place. They hear and receive gladly the 
divine Word, but very few attain to salva- 
tion. Pour upon us, O Holy Spirit ! thy 
heavenly grace, that the dead may hear Thy 
voice and live." 

During the long vacation of the same year, 
he says : " Affairs prosper now at Worton. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 59 

We have a "Wednesday service as well as on 
Sundays. The church is crowded. It is de- 
lightful to see such a great company listening 
to the word of God ; whilst we may hope that 
many will be endued with divine life, and 
attain to heavenly blessedness." 

Great good was accomplished through all 
the country about Worton, and the little 
churches were not only crowded, but many 
stood in the churchyard during the whole of 
the service and sermon, and large numbers 
of communicants came to the altar of the 
Lord. 

A marble tablet over the entrance of 
Upper Worton church stands as a memorial 
of the faithful curate who there once dis- 
pensed the bread of life. 

In the year 1809, Mr. Wilson was called 
to a more important field of labor. He thus 
writes from Oxford to his friend Pearson : 
" At Christmas last, Mr. Cecil sent for me to 
Clifton, and urged me to take St. John's as 
his curate, when my assistant at St. Ed- 
mund's Hall should be in a situation to act 



60 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

alone. I objected strongly on the ground of 
St. John's not being Buitable to my oast of 
character; but this difficulty being removed 
by the assurance he gave me of the universal 
approbation manifested when I have taken 
duty for him, I then agreed that, in the course 
of two or three years, if God should please, 
I would yield to his wishes. With these im- 
( lifton, and scarcely thought 
further affair, till a letter from him 

reached me about a month back, to state that 
his health was very rapidly declining, that 
things were falling to pieces at the chapel, 
and to urge me to take i; wholly, as minister, 
whilst his life remained to him and the power 
to consign it legally. 

" 1 was seized with the utmost consterna- 
tion, and the moment the term closed, hurried 
to London to weigh the summdns. I found 
Mr. Cecil too far gone to be capable of giv- 
ing advice, but his mind was fixed on me as 
his successor. I stated to Mr. Card ale and 
the principal people of the chapel, all my 
difficulties, arising from Mr. Hill, my pro- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 61 

posed successor at the Hall, being yet an 
under-graduate, and incapable of being left. 
No obstacle would divert them from their 
entreaties, and I yielded at length, on the 
supposition that no impediment arose in the 
execution of our plan. The Principal of St. 
Edmund's Hall consented without a scruple 
to the succession of Mr. Hill, upon my prom- 
ise of continuing to superintend till he should 
be settled and had become a Master of Arts, 
Three bishops — Oxford, Hereford, and Lon- 
don — loaded me with civilities and kindness, 
and I left London on Saturday, virtually 
minister of St. John's. My plan is to be 
there in the vacations, and such times during 
the term as I can be spared, and to manage 
at Oxford till Mr. Hill is Master of Arts and 
of an age for holy orders, so as to be able to 
officiate for me in the Hall chapel and at 
Worton." 

This letter was written in March. Some- 
what later he thus reveals his motives : 

"The employment of a tutor at Oxford 
has been far from being perfectly congenial 



62 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

to my mind. As to the propriety of mj 
leaving the University, and giving myself 
wholly to my ministry, 1 cannot have a 
doubt The gradual decay of vital piety in 
my own heart is too obvious and too alarin- 
ing a Bymptom not to force itself upon my 
May God yet Bpare me for his 
honor!" 

Mr. Wilson entered upon his public duties 
at St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row, on the 
2d of July) \- 9 bis birth-day), before any 
Legal arrangement had been made, which led 
to a little unpleasant affair at the beginning, 
but his business matters were speedily ar- 
dto the satisfaction of all parties. Two 
hundred guineas a year were to be paid out 
of the income of the chapel to Mr. Cecil and 
his family until the close of the lease, leav- 
ing three hundred pounds a year as Mr. Wil- 
son's salary. To show his disinterestedness, 
it should be mentioned that he gave up a 
parish with £500 per annum, that he might 
devote himself more entirely to the work of 
the ministry. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON". 63 

In consequence of Mr. Cecil's long-contin- 
ued illness, the congregation of St. John's 
had become much scattered, but within a 
month after the arrival of his successor, the 
chapel was' crowded. The building itself 
possessed no architectural beauties to attract, 
and the service was conducted in the plainest 
way, without any chanting — a psalm and 
hymn being sung, with the accompaniments 
of the organ. The manner of the new in- 
cumbent was natural, his voice perfect, and 
his action graceful and appropriate, Mr. 
Simeon used to say that the congregation 
were at his feet. The preaching of u Christ 
crucified" proved to be a powerful agency 
for arousing the slumbering consciences of 
the wicked, and many went away from that 
tabernacle humbled and penitent. 

The congregation was gathered from all 
parts of London, and was one well calculated 
to draw forth the powers of a clergyman 
" Amongst the regular attendants were John 
Thornton and his sons — names suggestive of 
singular goodness and beneficence. There 



64: LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

sat Charles Grant with his family, and two 
sons, distinguished afterwards, the one as 
Lord Glenelg, President of the Board of 
Control, and Secretary of State for the Colo- 
nics; the other as Sir Robert Grant, Gov- 
ernor oi Bombay. There also sat Zachary 
Macaulay, accompanied by his son, the legis- 
lative counsellor of India and historian of 
England — ennobling literature, and now en- 
aobled by it. Dr. Mason Good was there — 
a physician of high repute, the master of 
seventeen Languages, and translator of the 
Psalms ami the Book of Job, who, once a 
disciple of Belsham, was now 'sitting at the 
if eh bus. 5 Near him might be seen Mr. 
Stephen and hie family, Mr. Cardale, Mr. 
Bainbridge, Mr. Wigg, Mr. Charles Bridges, 
and many others of high repute and piety. 
Lawyers of note, also, who afterwards adorn- 
ed the bench, were pew-holders in St. John's. 
The good Bishop Ryder often attended, and 
Lord Calthorpe; Mr. Bowdler, the 'facile 
princeps,' as he was termed, of the rising 
barristers of his day, and Sir Digby Mack- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 65 

worth. Mr. "Wilberforce was frequently 
present, with his son Samuel, ' to take care 
of him.' The late Duchess of Beaufort, also, 
often sought to hear him, with many mem- 
bers of her family. Individuals of every 
'sort and condition' were thus assembled, 
high and low, rich and poor, one with another. 
Thirty or forty carriages might often be 
counted during the London season, standing 
in triple rows about the doors ; and though 
there was, as is too often, unhappily, the case 
in proprietary chapels, but scant accommo- 
dation for the poor, yet they loved to attend, 
and every vacant sitting-place was filled by 
them the moment the doors opened."* 

Many interesting incidents are related, 
showing the good which Mr. Wilson accom- 
plished, while officiating as minister of St. 
John's. It is told of one now advanced in 
life, and distinguished both in the political 
and religious world, that when he first came 
up to London, to study for the bar, he casu- 
ally (as men speak) entered St. John's Chapel 

* Bateman's Life of Wilson, p. 140-1. 
6* 



bb LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

one Sunday evening. After standing for a 
long while, and failing to get a seat, he felt 

I and chafed, and was retiring. One of 
the settled congregation, however, saw him 
going, followed him to the outer door, brought 
him back, and made room for him in his pew. 
The sermon thai he then heard was instru- 
mental to his conversion, and he walked 
thenceforth in the way that leadeth to ever- 

4- life. The incident is not only eucour- 
2 to ministers, but instructive to pew- 
holders ; the opening of a door may lead to 
the salvation of a BOul. 

Another incident may also be noted. A 
near relative of Daniel Wilsou was one of a 
large company, when a gentleman approach- 
ed and sought a personal introduction. "I 
wished to be introduced," he said, in ex- 
planation, " to a relative of one to whom I 
owe everything for time and eternity. I am 
only one of very many who do not know and 
never spoke to Mr. Wilson, but to whom he 
has been a father in Christ. He never will 
know, and he never ought to know, the good 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 67 

he has been the means of doing; for no man 
could bear it." 

There were large Sunday schools connect- 
ed with St. John's, taught by members of 
the congregation, which claimed the pastor's 
notice ; and the Welsh schools, or the youth 
of the schools for the instruction and maim 
tenance of children of the Principality at- 
tended upon his ministrations. 

Mr. Wilson bestowed particular pains in 
preparing candidates for Confirmation, and on 
one occasion three hundred and twenty-five 
young persons were presented by him to the 
Bishop, to receive his blessing in this holy rite. 

The number of communicants at St. John's 
was very large, five hundred being sometimes 
present at once, which made the service so 
long, that only a few minutes intervened be- 
tween the close of the morning and the com- 
mencement of the afternoon service. 

The collections for benevolent purposes 
were surpassed by those of no church in 
London. Mr. Wilson's appeals were most 
importunate, and few were able to resist 



6S LITE OF BTSHOP WILSON. 

fcliem. Once, when pleading- the cause of 
charity, he closed by Baying, "Some will, I 
tear, notwithstanding what I have urged, 
I the plate and give nothing, thinking 

nobody sees. I tell you — I tell such an one 

■ — GrOD BEES." 

A It hough the people who attended St. 
John's were thoroughly evangelical in prin- 
ciple, they were devoted in their attachment 

t irch, and when the Hon. and Rev. 

Baptie ' Mr. Wilson's successors, 

left it, for some peculiar reasons of his own, 

only a few individuals followed him, in spite 
of lii- ►pnlarity. 

Mr. Wilson had much to do beyond the 
limits of his charge, and the religious and 
missionary operations of the day found in 
him a zealous advocate and friend. During 
the summer holidays, having established his 
family at "Worton, or some other country 
place, he made extensive tours for the benefit 
of the Bible or Church Missionary Society, 
calling forth an interest in their affairs, and 
collecting funds to aid them. A few inci- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 0\) 

dents connected with these interesting jour- 
neys may here be appropriately introduced. 
Once, when travelling with an old and be- 
loved friend, the Rev. J. "W. Cunningham, 
on a missionary excursion, they dined at a 
house where the provision was most luxurious 
and costly, and where a company was assem- 
bled quite foreign to the character of the 
deputation and their immediate object. In 
due course the host arose, and in a sort of 
uproarious manner called upon the company 
to drink " Health to the Deputation." The 
whole spirit of the dinner was offensive to 
devout minds, and the question was to 
change it. Others sat still, but Daniel Wil- 
son rose up, and said, " I believe it is custom- 
ary, when any one's health is drunk, to return 
thanks; and this I do most cordially; and 
most affectionately do I wish you, sir, in re- 
turn, and this company, good health. But 
then (he added, in that deep tone into which 
his voice naturally fell when he was strongly 
moved) you will, perhaps, allow me to tell 
you in what I conceive ' Good Health' really 



70 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

to consist." And then he proceeded to speak 
of the health of the houL % in language so sol- 
emn and affecting that every one at the table 
felt the power of truth thus announced, and 
the whole character of the assembly was at 

changed and Bolemnized; And vet all 

-aid and done with such exquisite 

good-humor and kindness, that not a single 

ided ; but all i I their 

tude to him in expressions of respect, 
almost amounting to affection. 

An incident of a somewhat similar charac- 

scurred at Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton's 
I in town. A large party of clergy and 

laity, attracted by the May meetings, bad 
been invited to his hospitable board. All 
were of one mind, and all desirous of mutual 
edification; but the evening was passing 
away, and the conversation was still desul- 

and broken. Suddenly a loud voice was 
heard from the top of the table, addressing 
one seated near the bottom. It was Daniel 
Wilson speaking to Dr. Marsh. " William 
Marsh," he said, " may I ask you a question ? 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON". 71 

You have had some experience in dealing 
with criminals lying under the sentence of 
execution ; is there any portion of the Scrip- 
ture that you have found more efficacious 
than another in bringing them to conviction 
of sin and true repentance ? But" — checking 
himself, and referring to Mrs. Fry, who was 
sitting beside him — "perhaps I ought rather 
to put the question to my neighbor. May I, 
dear madam, ask whether any .particular 
passage of Scripture occurs to you as having 
proved most useful to that class of our fellow- 
sinners ?" 

" I can have no hesitation in answering 
thy question," replied Mrs. Fry ; " one pas- 
sage I have found far more effectual than any 
others ; and the simple reading of it has 
proved most useful. I refer to the latter part 
of the seventh chapter of Luke's Gospel. It 
has softened many hearts, and made eyes 
weep that never wept before." 

"The seventh chapter of St. Luke!" said 
Daniel Wilson. "The latter part. Let us 
examine it. How glad I am that I asked 



72 LIFE OF BISnOP WIL80N. 

you !" Then, taking a little Testament from 
his pocket, lie began to read the passage. 
This led to a comment on it, to inquiries 
from others, and to general conversation; 
lives flowed from Mrs. Fry, and illus- 
trations of various kinds from others, so that 
all were pleased, [Detracted, and edified. 

The formation of the Bible Association at 
< d was a difficult and delicate matter, in 
which he showed much tact. At a kind of 
i minary meeting of many of the authori- 
ty University, he was present, en- 
d »ring to remove objections and t<> win 
The weather was oppressive, and 
Daniel Wilson approached one of the heads 
of houses, who was present, not as an ap- 
!■, but a listener, with cake and wine. 
This gave occasion for conversation, and a 
hope was expressed that he would patronize 
the Society and take part in the meeting. 
An immediate refusal was given, and strong 
objections urged. The Society, it was said, 
would increase the influence of dissent, and 
tend so far to the injury of the Church. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 73 

" Exactly so," replied Daniel Wilson ; 
" this will be the result if the work is left in 
the hands of the dissenters ; and therefore, 
Doctor, how important it is that men of 
weight and influence in the Church should 
come forward and take the lead." 

Other arguments were added, and pre- 
vailed ; and thus, by his tact and good tem- 
per, he gained his point, and the Doctor 
became an office-bearer in the Society, and 
made a speech at the meeting. 

Two or three more incidents may be added^ 
as illustrating Mr. Wilson's habit and mode 
of prayer. A friend (the Rev. Thomas 
Harding, now vicar of Bexley) accompanied 
him to Brighton on behalf of one of the re- 
ligious societies. Two large meetings had 
been attended ; and the evening having been 
closed by an address to a circle of friends at 
Sir Thomas Bloomiield's, and by prayer, they 
entered the coach together on their return to 
town. There were no other passengers. The 
moment they had fairly started, Daniel Wil- 
son, drawing up the window, said : " Now, 
7 



74 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

my dear friend, we must have our evening 
prayers together ere we sleep." He then 
commended liis friend, himself, and those 
they had just left, to the Divine protection ; 
and, his petitions ended, he fell fast asleep. 

Once, "ii a visit at a friend's house, lie was 
requested to officiate at morning prayers wi'th 
the family, but to be very Bhort, because of 
some pressing engagement. When the serv- 
ants were seated, be said: kk I am requested 
to be v(.-vy shorl to-day ; I will therefore give 
you Christianity in a nut-shell. Our heavenly 
Father said of our blessed Redeemer, 'Thou 
art m\ beloved son, in whom I am well 
pleased.' Any soul that can say of that liu- 
deemer, 'Thou art my beloved Saviour, in 
whom I am well pleased,' is a real Christian. 
Now, let us pray." 

The last trait of character to he mentioned 
is related by Dr. Marsh, and is short and 
simple. He sometimes travelled, on behalf 
of these societies, with Daniel Wilson, and 
on arriving at their inn. they were frequently 
compelled to share a double-bedded room. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 75 

On such occasions, Dr. Marsh records the 
fact, that the last sight his eyes met at night, 
and the first sight in the morning, was always 
Daniel Wilson on his knees. 

Such incessant and exciting labors as the 
zealous minister of St. John's was engaged 
in, could hardly fail to exhaust his strength , 
and we are not surprised to find that in the 
autumn of 1822 he was prostrate and con- 
fined to a sick room. Early the next year 
he resumed his public duties, but soon found 
that nature had not yet recovered from her 
previous strain ; and acting upon medical 
advice, he made a visit to the Continent, 
which lasted from June to November, and 
which was a source of much benefit and en- 
joyment. He officiated on two Sundays after 
his return, greatly to the joy of his people, 
when all the bad symptoms of his disease 
ippeared again, in even a worse form than 
oefore, and again he was compelled to learn 
the lessons of patience and submission, under 
his heavenly Father's chastening hand. 



&Wn |0urtl]. 



MR. WIL80N APPEARS IN ANOTHER PULPIT ISLINGTON 

— THE LAST INCUMBENT ONE PARTY DELIGHTED. 

AND THE OTHER APPREHENSIVE — THE NEW VICAR'S 

FIRST SERMON — WAITING THE LORD'S GOOD TIME 

WORLDLY WISDOM ALL DIFFICULTIES HARMONIZED 

" NO SUCH THING AS GETTING A COMFORTABLE GAME 

AT CARDS" SITTING IN THE PULPIT EFFORTS FOR 

ADDITIONAL CHURCH ACCOMMODATION — DIFFICULTIES 

IN THE WAY THE FIRST MEETING OF THE VESTRY 

A THIRD SERVICE BEGUN — IMPROVING HEALTH — CIR- 
CULAR LETTER IN REGARD TO BUILDING NEW CHURCHES 
— THE FINAL ADOPTION OF THE PLAN PROPOSED AP- 
PLICATION TO THE CHURCH COMMISSIONERS "i AM 

LIKE UNTO THEM THAT DREAM" TWO FAITHFUL 

CURATES FIFTEEN SUNDAY SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED. 

FTEK a silence of eight months, Mr. 
Wilson appeared in another pulpit, 
and in very different circumstances 
'X?a>Cc5 from those which had hitherto sur- 
rounded him. The important living 
of Islington had become vacant, and 
Mr. William Wilson (his wife's father having 
purchased the advowson,* as it is called; 
* " Advowson is the right of patronage to a church or 




LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 77 

presented it to his son-in-law. Although the 
parish was then regarded almost as a country 
district — green fields dividing it, in some de- 
gree, from the great metropolis — it has long 
since been swallowed up in the onward march 
of London, and all distinctive marks are 
swept away. 

Islington was a most important charge, 
embracing thirty thousand souls. The last 
incumbent, a fine specimen of an old-fash- 
ioned divine, had been a great favorite with 
a large portion of the parishioners, but he 
had done little to rouse them from the spirit- 
ual lethargy into which they had sunk. 



an ecclesiastical benefice ; and lie who has the right of 
advowson is called the patron of the church, from his 
obligation to defend the rights of the church from op- 
pression and violence. For when lords of manors first 
built churches upon their own demesnes, and appointed 
the tithes of those manors to be paid to the officiating 
ministers, which before were given to the clergy in com- 
mon, the lord who thus built a church, and endowed it 
with glebe or land, had of common right a power annexed 
of nominating such minister as he pleased (provided he 
were canonically qualified) to officiate in that church, of 
which he was the founder, endower, maintainer, or, in 
one word, the patron." — Hook's Chukch Dictionary. 

7* 



78 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Some who had attended St. John's Chapel, 
Bedford Row, were residents of Islington ; 
and these persons were delighted at the idea 
of having their favorite minister so near 
them. Others, again, expressed no little ap- 
prehension lest Mr. Wilson's thoroughly 
evangelical teaching and energetic manner 
might prove disagreeable to a congregation 
so long accustomed to a different system, 
while a few even went so far as to declare 
that they would not attend church. 

Al though still very feeble in health, the 
new Vicar of Islington preached his first ser- 
mon in St. Mary's Church, July 2d, 1824, 
entering that day on his forty-seventh year. 
This experiment showed him that his strength 
was not sufficiently restored to enable him to 
prosecute the work which he so much desired 
to begin — and he must needs abide the Lord's 
good pleasure. It was not until the close of 
November that his voice was heard again in 
the parish church, when he delivered a stir- 
ring Advent sermon, from St. Mark i. 15 — 
"The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 79 

God is at hand. Repent je, and believe the 
Gospel." 

Mr. Wilson well understood the position 
which he occupied, and he resolved to pursue 
a course so prudent and unexceptionable, 
that while he made no compromise of the 
truth, none might take needless offence. 
Soon, however, some began to wonder at 
what they thought a sacrifice of principle. 
His appeals seemed 10 be less fervent, and 
his manner less earnest. They said, " He 
was very different at St. John's." They al- 
most doubted if he preached the Gospel. 
But this was " their foolishness." The ser- 
mons were the same. They were St. John's 
sermons, wisely adapted to Islington ; and 
the course pursued was the one most likely 
to produce the desired effect — "if by any 
means I may save some." He was gently 
remonstrated with by a well-wisher, and his 
reasons were asked. The answer was imme- 
diate, and to this effect: "I could preach 
away the parish church congregation in a 
fortnight ; and in another fortnight, perhaps, 



80 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

I could fill it with a congregation twice as 
large. But these are my parishioners. I do 
noi wish to drive them away. I long for 
their souls as one that must give account. 
My heart's desire is to lead them to Christ. 
The branch in the vine must not be cut off, 
but made fruitful." 

And his actions out of the pulpit, as well 
as in it, were in accordance with these words. 
When troublous times came on, and many 
were offended, some friend told him of an 
angry parishioner who had declared that 
neither be nor his family would ever come 
to the parish church again. " What do you 
say?" was the vicar's response; "what name 
did you mention ? Where does he live ? I 
will call on him to-morrow morning." He 
called accordingly, and saw the family, and 
all was set right in a moment ; for few could 
resist him when he wished to please. 

It is scarcely necessary to say that this ac- 
tion was entirely disinterested. As vicar, he 
was of course independent of all secular mo- 
tives ; and the slightest intimation of an 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 81 

intention of giving up a pew in church, was 
followed by twenty earnest applications for 
it. The effect of the conduct then pursued 
was, in the end, what he desired. ISTone left, 
the church ; but, on the contrary, prejudices 
began to yield, hearts to soften, grace to 
work. Religion became prominent, and 
worldliness drew back complaining, and 
murmuring, " There is no such thing as get- 
ting a comfortable game at cards now, as in 
Dr. Strahan's time." 

One old gentleman, a poor Churchman 
from his youth, was so full of anger at the 
change, that he could scarcely speak upon 
the subject. He threatened to leave the 
parish altogether. But whilst he lingered, 
the angel of the Lord "laid hold upon his 
hand," and all was changed. " No," he re- 
plied to an application about his pew, " I 
shall not leave. I shall remain. I find now 
that religion is heart-work." 

It will readily be supposed that vast 
crowds assembled in the church, and that 
every standing-place was occupied. 



82 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

It was the practice of the vicar now to sit 
in the pulpit. He was at first compelled to 
d<> this from ill health ; but it became a 
habit, and he continued it to the end of life. 
A stool was constructed which would take to 
pieces, and which raised him, sitting, to the 
height of a person standing. Cross bars 
steadied it and rested his feet; and upon 
these, when excited by his subject, or desiring 
to impress some weighty truth upon his au- 
ditors, he ofren rose, greatly increasing his 
height, and suggesting the idea originated 
by John Knox, that he was about to "flee 
out of the pulpit." The effect, though not 
graceful, was impressive and earnest ; and in 
Daniel Wilson's case, something of dignity 
was always attached even to his peculiarities. 

When the Vicar of Islington had got fairly 
at work in his new parish, he began seriously 
to consider what arrangements could be 
made for additional church accommodation. 

His efforts in this direction were hindered 
by a peculiarity in Islington — a large body 
of trustees, elected by the people, having 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 83 

power to act with the church-wardens in the 
management of all business matters. In 
consequence of this arrangement, every ex- 
citing question brought together a large 
crowd, and the vestry meetings were often 
scenes of disgraceful turmoil and confusion. 
As the building of additional churches 
must be a work of time, Mr. Wilson wisely 
determined to make the best possible use of 
St. Mary's, and he accordingly proposed that 
night services should be held there, besides 
those of the morning and afternoon. The 
first vestry meeting which he presided over 
was called to consider this matter. He thus 
describes it : 

" Islington, February 18, 1825. 

"I had, last night, my vestry for nearly 
four hours at the church, on the evening 
service. About two hundred persons attend- 
ed, and long discussions arose — not upon the 
main question, for all approved of opening 
the church, but on the points : Whether the 
church should be entirely free, or the seats 
be let? and then, whether the expenses 



84 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

should be paid by the church-wardens, or by 
voluntary subscription ? It was carried, at 
length, unanimously, that the church should 
be free, and by 117 against 59 that the 
church-wardens should pay the expenses. 
Nothing could be more kind and respectful 
than their whole conduct to me, personally, 
but I was worn out with standing, speaking, 
talking, and calling to order — in short, 
'ruling the waves of the sea and the tumult 
of the people.' " 

The third Bervice was immediately begun, 
and the crowded congregations were a most 
gratifying testimony to the expediency of 
such a measure. Mr. Wilson's health was 
improving, and his zeal kept pace with his 
increasing strength. Having made the best 
arrangement he could to supply the spiritual 
wants of his overgrown flock, he applied his 
mind to the only measure which could pos- 
sibly meet the demand — the erection of uew 
churches. The trustees were reluctant to 
engage in this undertaking in consequence 
of their unfortunate experience some years 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 85 

before, when a chapel-of-ease had been built. 
Through mismanagement, and other causes, 
a debt had been contracted, which still 
weighed heavily upon the tax-payers, and 
rendered them indisposed to assume addi- 
tional responsibilities. 

Mr. Wilson, however, prepared a circular 
letter to his parishioners in the spring of 1825, 
the main points of which were the following : 

The parish contained thirty thousand 
people, and was rapidly increasing. Land 
was already let for buildings which, when 
completed, would raise the population to 
fifty thousand souls. The church and chapel- 
of-ease together had sittings for two thou- 
sand five hundred ; so that out of every 
twelve parishioners, eleven were absolutely 
shut out of the house of God. 

The trustees of the parish and His Ma- 
jesty's commissioners alike concurred in the 
opinion that one church, in a parish spread- 
ing over so wide a -surface, would be com- 
paratively useless, and that three were 
absolutely required. This would involve an 



86 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

expense of £30,000, at the very least. But 
if the parishioners would find the sites, and 
advance £12,000, His Majesty's commis- 
sioners would take all further responsibility 
upon themselves, and complete the whole 
work. This £12,000 might be first raised, 
and then eventually extinguished, by a rate 
of three-pence in the pound, which would 
only require, from the great bulk of the 
parishioners, on an average, a payment of 
three or four shillings per annum — and that 
not from each individual, but from each 
family inhabiting a dwelling-house. Under 
certain contingencies, even tlii.s might be 
lessened, but it could not possibly be ex- 
ceeded. And thus, at so small a sacrifice, 
and no subsequent risk, the whole parish 
might be provided with church accommoda- 
tion for years to come. 

The letter ended as follows : 

" Let me entreat the prayers of my pa- 
rishioners to Almighty God, the author of all 
good, that such, a soundness of judgment, 
and such a temper of peace and charity may 



LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 87 

prevail throughout the consideration of this 
great question, that it may be crowned, if it 
should seem right and fit, with the desired 
success ; but that, at all events, it may prove 
an occasion, not of heat and contention, but 
of good- will and kindness and conciliation 
between all the remotest inhabitants of this 
vast and important parish." 

This able appeal produced a decided effect, 
and five days after the letter had been issued, 
a vestry meeting was held to consider so 
important a question. Mr. "Wilson by no 
means relied upon mere human agency to 
accomplish the desire of his heart, but he 
made it the subject of unceasing prayer. 
And how wonderfully the Almighty over- 
ruled all things for the advancement of His 
own glory ! The trustees assembled, and 
the plan proposed by the vicar was unani- 
mously adopted. This vote, however, must be 
confirmed at another meeting, and although 
difficulties were then raised, and some ob- 
jected, the previous action was approved of 
by large majorities. 



88 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Application must be made to the Church 
Commissioners, who agreed to build the 
churches. We give Mr. Wilson's own ac- 
count : 

" Islington. May 25, 1825. 

" Surely praise Bhould follow prayer. 
Yestcrdav our great undertaking succeeded. 
The two archbishops, and twenty or more 
bishops and noblemen, condescended to our 
ion, and Threi Chwrches, to contain live 
thousand bouIs, are to be immediately built. 
The intense curiosity with which my person 
wae surveyed by the Episcopal Commission- 
ers is mere than I can describe : and my own 
nervousness in answering to a thousand ques- 
tions, and undergoing an hour's examination 
before such a Board, almost deprived me of 
the presence of mind necessary for such a 
conjuncture. To God I ascribe the whole 
success. I am like unto them that dream. 
A parish of thirty thousand people, in con- 
fusion and ill-will, and determined against 
any more new churches as long as they lived 
(we are paying £2,354 annually for our 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. o\) 

chapel-of ease), brought round to vote almost 
unanimously the sum of £12,000 ; and this 
pittance accepted by the Commissioners, for 
chapels that will cost them £35,000 — and 
would have cost the bungling managers of a 
parish £70,000 ; this is ' the Lord's doing, 
and it is marvellous in our eyes.' Let May 
12 and May 24 be marked in my calendar as 
'jubilee days.' " 

After a brief season of rest, which was 
passed at Cheltenham and Worton, Mr. 
Wilson resumed his labors at Islington, 
whence he thus writes on the 12th of Novem- 
ber, 1825 : 

" I am wonderful well for me. In fact, I 
have been better the last seven weeks than I 
have been for years. The calls upon me 
since I came home have been incessant ; and 
yet I have been able to preach at church 
every Sunday. The attention at church is 
intense. I trust and believe good is doing. 
The seed must have time to lie in the ground 
before it springs up. Oh ! may the heavenly 
Husbandman make ' the ground' into which 
8* 



90 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

it falls ' good !' I begin now to find what I 
thought I was prepared for — checks and ob- 
stacles in my great church affairs. It is 
astonishing how little one is practically pre- 
pared to meet disappointments. Theory 
and practice are not necessarily connected in 
our disordered hearts." 

Although nothing has been said of Mr. 
Wilson's assistants, our readers would hardly 
Buppose thai SO much machinery could have 
been kepi in successful operation by one 
man alone; but it may be well enough to 
mention thai his efforts were ably seconded 
by two faithful curates — Mr. Marshall and 
Mr. Hambleton. Various agencies were 
employed for the good of the extensive par- 
ish — and among others, fifteen Sunday-schools 
were established — from which much precious 
fruit was gathered. 



filter fiftft. 



. STOEM BEE WING THE AFTEENOOX LECTURESHIP A 

LONG ANT) PAINFUL STEUGGLE BEOEGHT TO A PEACE- 
ABLE END — PEESEASIVE INFLUENCE — THE CEOSS TAKEN 
"DP — SEYEEE AFFLICTION — MBS. WILSON'S SICKNESS 

AND DEATH " THE SAME TESTEEDAT, AND TO-DAY, 

AND FOEEYEE!" EESIGNATION — LAEGE CONFIEMATION 

— PEEPAEATION FOE FIEST COMMUNION PEOSPEEOUS 

CONDITION OF THE PAEISH — CONSECEATING OF THE 
THEEE NEW CHUECHES FEEEDOM FEOM DEBT — AP- 
POINTMENT OF CLERGYMEN — THE LOED's WOEK PEOS- 
PEEING. 

I HITS far Mr. Wilson's earnest prayer, 
that peace and truth might abide 
amongst the people of his charge, 
had been graciously answered. 
Early in 1826, however, this happy 
state of things was unexpectedly 
disturbed. The difficulty grew out of what 
was called the afternoon lectureship ; the 
vicar not being responsible for this service, 
and about a hundred pounds a year being col- 
lected by voluntary subscriptions, to defray 
its expenses. The lecturer at this time was 




92 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

the Rev. Mr. Denham, and it was a report 
of his intended resignation which first sug- 
gested any disturbing question. 

As the one holding this office was not 
] id to perform any pastoral duties during 
the week, ir was supposed that there might 
everal applicants for the vacancy, and 
Mi-. Marshall, the senior curate, solicited the 
votes "t" the parishioners by means of a cir- 
cular letter. At this stage of the proceed- 
in::-. Mr. Wilson thought proper to interfere, 
and announced his intention, in case of a 
vacancy, to make arrangements himself for 
the afternoon service. 

A controversy grew out of this — the vestry 
standing up for what they contended to be 
their rights in the case, and the vicar insist- 
ing upon his own. At the first meeting 
which was held on the subject, Mr. Wilson 
having entered a protest against any en- 
croachment upon his privileges, promised 
that if the right of appointment legally 
belonged to the parishioners, they should be 
permitted to choose whom they pleased. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 93 

The vestry agreed to this, but when the 
vacancy really occurred, they seemed to 
have forgotten their engagement, and they 
actually met to elect Mr. Denham's suc- 
cessor. The motion to do this was, however, 
voted down, and at last, when the whole 
question was left to the arbitration of Dr. 
Lnshington, it was decided in the vicar's favor. 
It is grievous to think how much bitter- 
ness and ill-will had been aroused by the 
whole proceedings — and we are thankful to 
be able to record that the storm now slowly 
passed away. Mr. Wilson saw that it was 
important, for his future peace, that the 
influence of good and energetic laymen 
should be secured to modify and manage so 
unwieldy a body as the trustees, and he 
sought to interest some of his friends in this 
behalf. One instance will illustrate the 
course he pursued, and prove his persuasive 
influence over the minds of others. He 
desired to secure the services of a gentleman 
whose scientific attainments, courteous bear- 
ing, calmness of temperament, and general 



94 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

ability rendered Lis aid most valuable. 
With this object in view, he called upon 
him one morning, and said : 

" I am anxious to induce the gentry of the 
parish, and especially those who value true 
religion, t<> take part in the management of 
its concerns habitually. Will you consent to 
be nominated as a trustee and come forward 
and help us ?" 

" I cannot think of it," was the reply. 
" I am a man of peace — I have my pursuits, 
which are pleasant to myself, and I hope, in 
some respects, profitable to others. I am 
always ready to take my part in educational 
matters, and in religious associations, but 
from parish matters I shrink." 

" But I wish," said the vicar, " to urge 
upon you the importance of exerting your 
influence on the side of order, and supporting 
the Church and your vicar." 

" And I should be glad indeed to do so. 
But parish business, in my view, would in- 
volve a loss of self-respect. I must decline 
all part in it." 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 95 

a But, my dear friend, do you not believe 
that one day you will have to render an ac- 
count to God of all the means of influence 
placed at your disposal, and of all the talents 
committed to your charge ?" 

" Certainly ; but this is foreign to my hab- 
its and distasteful to my feelings." 

t; Ah! but remember, my friend, that we 
are called upon to 'deny ourselves,' to ' take 
up our cross,' to ' run with patience the race 
set before us.' " 

"True — very true." 

" Are you, then — are any of us the best 
judges of what is the path for us to walk in ? 
It is not always the easy path which is the 
right one ; it is not always when we please 
ourselves that we best please God. Better 
follow duty when it calls, and you will secure 
God's blessing." 

The result may be anticipated. The cross 
was taken up, duty efficiently performed, 
good service rendered, a useful example set, 
and the great object gained. 

Mr. Wilson was overtaken, in the midst 



96 LIFE OF BTSnOP WILSON. 

of his labors, by the heaviest trial of his life 
— the death of his dear, devoted wife. She 
had been an invalid and a sufferer for several 
years, and from this cause her friends had 
been less prepared to expect a sudden termi- 
nation of her earthly course. In April, 
1827, her disease grew more alarming, and 
early the next month it was evident to all 
that her end mttet he near. Without a mur- 
mur or regret, she turned at once to the work 
of self-examination, submitting herself cn- 
tiivlv o ( l'e holy care and keeping. On 
the morning of May 7th her husband entered 
the room, and, standing by the bedside, bent 
over her in silent sympathy. She opened 
her eyes, and recognized him at once. All 
the tenderness of her early love seemed to 
gush forth. She lifted up her wasted hands, 
stroked gently and repeatedly each side of 
his face, and whispered, " Dearest creature !" 
adding, " do not excite me ; say something 
to calm me." With tearful eye and quiver- 
ing lip, he named that name which is above 
every name — " Jesus Christ, the same yes- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 97 

^erday, and to-day, and for ever." It found 
a response in the heart. " That is beautiful," 
she said. To her sister-in-law, who was soon 
after at her side, she said, "Perhaps I may 
not be alive long." " And if not," was the 
reply, " you will be in Paradise." " Ah, 
yes," she said, " that will be far better." 

Her thoughts still dung to her children 
with the tenderest love. Their temporal and 
eternal welfare was very near her heart ; and 
when all was silent in the room, her voice 
was often heard ascending up to heaven in 
earnest supplications on their behalf. 

"My dearest love," said her husband, on 
coming in, "you will soon be with Jesus." 
" To see Him /" was her brief but weighty 
answer. 

Soon the power of articulation began to 
fail, and the notice of external things to 
lessen. All stood around the bed — husband, 
children, sisters, servants. She noticed no 
external thing, but still held communion with 
her God. " Lord, have mercy on my soul ! 
Succor me in Jesus Christ. In sickness and 



98 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

in dying, oh, succor and save ! Lord, let me 
enjoy Thy presence for evermore. I have 
no merits in myself, but my reliance is on 
Christ. Lord, save me in Christ Jesus. I 
do love Him. Though I am a sinner, save 
me for His sake/ 1 

These were the Last connected words. A 
few fragments only of love and piety could 
afterwards he gathered. "Lord, teach sub- 
mission" — " no more Bin" — "sing with joy" 
— " dear John" — "dear Dan" — ''resignation" 
—"Samowf" 

Till the afternoon of Thursday death lin- 
gered ; and on that day, May 10th, at one 
o'clock, she ceased to breathe, and her spirit 
returned to that Father who gave, and that 
Saviour who redeemed it. She slept in 
Jesus ; whilst friends knelt round her bed, 
weeping, yet sorrowing " not as others who 
have no hope." She was interred in the 
family vault under the parish church of 
Islington. The funeral sermon was preached 
by the Dean of Salisbury ; and then the be- 
reaved husband set out once more on the 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 99 

journey of life, a solitary and widowed man. 
He had lost one who had been a help meet 
for him — his counsellor in difficulties, his 
comforter in sorrows, his nurse in sickness. 
He never ceased to think of her with true 
affection, nor to speak of her with tender 
regret. 

" Indeed, it is all true," was the expression 
of his first letter after the event; "I have 
lost the companion of my youth, the partner 
of my joys and sorrows, the mother of my 
children, the guide of my Christian course. 
My sorrows flow deeply, and must flow, so 
long as I remain behind. But I hope I do 
not murmur. I hope I desire to say, 'Not 
my will, but Thine be done.' I hope I am 
grateful for four-an d-t wen ty years of peace, 
and union, and comfort. I hope I bless God 
for the delightful testimony to her Saviour 
which she bore in life and death." 

Although Mr. Wilson was greatly dis- 
tressed by this late affliction, he regarded it 
as a call from God, requiring him to be more 
devoted in His service. * 



100 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Almost seven hundred young persons in 
his parish had just renewed the vows of 
Baptism in Confirmation, and he was now 
most anxious to prepare them for their first 
Communion. Besides preaching on the sub- 
ject, he urged them to come to him, in pri- 
vate, for additional instruction, and many 
gladly availed themselves of the privilege. 

The year 1S28 found the affairs of the 
parish in a most encouraging state. In ad- 
dition to three full services on Sundays and 
festivals, the church was opened for 
players on wwy Wednesday and Friday 
morning, and od Saints' days. 

The next important event to be noted is 
the consecration of the three new churches, 
which had been erected within the bounds 
of the parish. 

St. John's Church, Plolloway, which ac- 
commodates about eighteen hundred persons, 
was consecrated by Dr. Howley, then Bishop 
of London, on the 2d of July, 1828, arid St. 
Paul's, at Ball's Pond, on the 23d of Octo- 
ber, in the same year. This church is about 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 101 

as large as St. John's. Trinity — the largest 
of the three, having two thousand and nine 
sittings — was consecrated on the 19th of 
March, 1829. 

The whole business arrangements had been 
so admirably managed that, so far from con- 
tracting any debt, a balance of one hundred 
pounds was returned to the parish. Mr. 
Wilson presented to each church on the day 
of its consecration a beautiful communion 
set. His great anxiety was to secure efficient 
clergymen for them, and after due considera- 
tion, the Rev. W. Marshall, the Rev. John 
Sandys, and the Rev. H. F. Fell were ap- 
pointed. The churches were soon filled, and 
the work of the Lord prospered. The good 
vicar continued to feel the deepest interest 
in them until his dying day. 
9* 



Clragtcr §ktlr. 



THE PRIVATE JOURNAL ONOE MORE BE8UMED—- MB. WIL- 
SON - .- ' PON BIS KIKI Y-Tim:i> YEAR nONEST 

CONFESSIONS OF A CONTRITE BEABT — ISLINGTON IN AN 
OPROAE — CAUSE OF THE DISTURBANCE — THE PRAYER 
OF FAITH RECEIVES AX ANSWEB OF PEACE — A VOICE 
FBOM INDIA — DEATH OF BISHOP TUENEB — DIFFICULTY 
IN FINDING A 8UOOE880B — MB, WILSON OFFERS TO GO — 

Hlfi MOTIVES S< BUTLNIZED CON8E0BATION — PREPARA- 

TION8 km: LEAVING ENGLAND — SETS SAIL FOR CAL- 
CUTTA. 

^ I-] have now brought down our nar- 
rative to the year 1830. On the 
L2th of January, Mr. Wilson takes 
out his old private note-book once 
more, and makes this record : 
" Twenty-three years have passed 
since I wrote in this journal. I can scarcely 
say why — I believe that I ceased to write 
because pride gradually increased, and I 
could not even describe the state of my soul 
without some inflation, which spoiled all." 

Again, on the first of July, he writes in 
this journal, in which the secret workings of 




LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 103 

his heart are described : " To-morrow, if it 
please God, I shall complete my fifty-second 
year, and enter my fifty-third. What should 
be my resolutions for the new year ? Tell 
me, O my soul ! what I ought to do, as it 
respects my private devotions, my ministerial 
work, my children, religious societies, and 
the Church of God. 

" 1. My private devotions ought to be 
more regular, fervent, and spiritual — above 
all, I ought to study the Bible more humbly 
and prayerfully. 

" 2. My ministry demands more simplicity, 
sweetness, tenderness of heart, spirituality, 
fidelity, boldness. 

"3. My children require my prayers, my 
example, my instructions, and a steady, con- 
sistent walk. 

' " 4. The societies need carefulness to avoid 
divisions, and to keep from needless interfer- 
ence ; all must be open, straightforward, wise. 

"5. The Church of God wants a heart full 
of charity, a single eye, and the simplicity 
of Jesus Christ in all things. 



104 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

" I have, myself, to guard against (1) 
pride; (2) the lusts of the flesh; (3) vain 
and worldly reading. Give me, O God ! the 
I :! -•■nee." 

( mce more, on the 10th of the same month, 
we find these honest confessions of a contrite 
heart. " How can 1 begin my meditation! 
How can I enter Thy presence, my God! 
My thoughts oppress me. The instability 
of my character, the weakness of my will, 
my frequent r shut my month and 

make me miserable. I have preached this 
morning on the fall of David, from the words, 
' Tho ' But I have more need 

of self-application than any of my hearers. 

" c I am the man !' the man unfaithful, 
the man ungrateful, the man proud, the man 
living to himself — the man full of covetous- 
ness, weakness, and corruption O my God ! 
have pity on me. Visit me with Thy grace. 
Give me Thy Spirit. Destroy in me the 
dominion of sin, and set up the kingdom of 
purity and virtue." 

About the time that Mr. Wilson was 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 105 

making these entries, all Islington was in an 
uproar. The difficulty arose from an unin- 
tentional error which had been made in the 
election of the parish trustees, for which he 
was in no way responsible. It gave occa- 
sion, however, for the old spirit of opposition 
to show itself again, and several stormy 
vestry meetings were held. The vicar's 
friends were unwilling that he should be ex- 
posed to the thickest of the contest, and the 
senior warden presided in his place. We 
shall not attempt to go into particulars, but 
merely say that the agitated waves of party 
strife ere long subsided, and when the war- 
den, in his capacity of chairman, went to the 
vicar to report, the latter replied to his con- 
gratulations on the favorable result : 

" My dear sir, I thought it would be even 
as you had said, because I knew that God 
heareth and answereth prayer. The moment 
you left me last night, I sent for my curates, 
that ' two or three' might agree in what they 
should ask ; and when you were taking the 
chair, we fell upon our knees and besought 



106 LIFE OF BI8HOP WILSON. 

the Lord to give you a mouth and wisdom 
that no adversary might he able to gainsay 
or resist. Thus, whilst you were striving in 
the plain, we were praying on the mount. 
And this is the result. May ( rod be praised !" 

" Ah, Bir," Baid the church- warden, when 
giving this account of his vicar, with tearful 
eye and quivering lip, " ah, .sir, he was 
indeed a man of prayer." 

Mr. Wilson had spent eight years at Isling- 
ton, and thirty thousand persons had felt the 
influence of his devotion to their service. 

It had seemed a great undertaking when 
lie entered upon the care of this single par- 
ish, but it was as nothing compared with 
that which now awaited him. 

In 1831, Bishop Turner, of Calcutta, died. 
lie was the fourth prelate who, within a 
short space of time, had sunk under the 
enervating climate of India. 

It is curious to observe how Mr. Wilson's 
thoughts had for years past been turned to- 
wards the East. His interest in Bishop Heber 
we have already referred to. In 1829, when 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 107 

Dr. Turner was about to sail for his distant 
diocese, he visited Islington, and attended a 
meeting of the Church Missionary Society. 
Mr. Wilson presided, and in his address he 
assured the Bishop that if, at any time, the 
people of Islington could give or do anything 
to benefit India, they were ready. Little 
did he foresee how that pledge would be 
redeemed ! 

Bishop Turner had so great confidence in 
Mr. Wilson's judgment, that he begged him 
to make such suggestions as he thought 
would be of use to him in his Indian Episco- 
pate — which request was faithfully complied 
with. 

- Two years passed by, and Bishop Turner 
had been taken away, and India was calling 
for another to fill his place. Such a fatality 
had attended those who had hitherto gone 
out (four Bishops having died within nine 
years), that several who had been offered the 
mitre, declined to accept it. In this emer- 
gency, Mr. Wilson declared his willingness 
to go, in case no one else could be found. 



108 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Does not the death of his devoted wife 
seem designed by Providence to break a tie 
which might have bound him fast to En- 
l, and kept him back from long years 
of service in India? Let no man presume 
that it was ambition which prompted 
the Vicar of Islington to make the proposal 
He was most happily situated, en- 
I an ample competency, occupied a high 
| : n, was surrounded by loving friends, 
ised a wide influence. What could 
1 idia offer in exchange for these? Those to 
\ i the appointing power was entrusted, 
i sible of the deep responsibility 

which re-ted on them, and they made the 
most anxious inquiries concerning Mr. Wil- 
son's fitness for so difficult and trying a 
position. All were at last fully satisfied that 
he was well qualified for the office, and he 
was accordingly offered the Bishopric of 
India. £To further time was to be lost. 
Nine months had already passed since the 
death of Bishop Turner, and his successor 
should be ready to depart. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 109 

Sunday, April 29th, was fixed for the con- 
secration. On that day he arose early, and 
made this entry in his journal : "I am now 
come to the beginning of this awful, solemn, 
delightful day — the day of my espousals 1o 
Christ my Saviour — the day of my renewal 
of my vows as deacon and priest, and of the 
additional vows of superintendent, overseer, 
and Bishop of the Church of Calcutta. O 
Lord ! assist me in the preparation for this 
office. Aid me during the solemnities of the 
day. Grant me grace after it to fulfil my 
engagements and promises." 

At prayers with his family that morning, 
he expounded St. Paul's address to the elders 
of the Church at Ephesus, and with deep 
feeling and faltering voice applied some of 
the verses to his own case. 

u I also go to India under somewhat simi- 
lar circumstances with the Apostle ; in that 
' 1 know not the things that shall befall me 
there.' But his God will be my God, and 
his Father my Father, and therefore none of 
these things move me." 
10 



110 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

The consecration took place in the chapel 
of Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Can 
terbury being assisted in the solemn office bv 
Dr. Bloomfield, Bishop of London. Dr. Monk, 
Bishop of Gloucester, and Dr. Gray, Bishop 
of Bristol. 

The new bishop of Calcutta reached home 
aboul five in the afternoon, and retiring to 
:<]\\ appeared no more that day. The 
following were his evening meditations: 
'•Lord, I would now adore Thee for Thy 
great grace given unto me; that I should be 
called to the office of Chief Pastor and 
Bishop of Thy Church. Oh ! guard me from 
the spiritual dangers i<> which I am most 
exposed — pride, self-consequence, worldliness 1 
of spirit, false dignity, human applause, 
abuse of authority, reliance on past knowl- 
edge or experience. Lord, give me sim- 
plicity of heart, boldness, steadiness, decision 
of character, deadness of affection to the 
world. Let me remember that the great 
vital points of religion are the main things 
to be kept constantly and steadily on my 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. Ill 

heart, then compassion for souls, then sim- 
plicity of object, and abstraction from every 
other interfering claim ; then a spirit of 
prayer and supplication ; then learning les- 
sons from affliction, when God sends it." 

We shall not attempt to describe the mul- 
tiplied engagements which occupied his last 
days in England. Having seen his son in- 
ducted into the living of Islington, and at- 
tended to every other duty, he left his native 
shores on the 19th of June, 1832, in the ship 
James Sibbald, bound for Calcutta. 



Ijapter Seimtth 




MAKING GOOD USE OF A SEA-VOYAGE DAILY ROUTINE 

ON SHIP-BOARD — INTERESTING LETTER TO THE DEAN 
OF SALISBURY — THE DAEE AND BRIGHT SIDES OF THE 
PICTURE — DESIRE TO GLORIFY GOD — ARRIVAL AT 
CAPE TOWN — AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR — TEN DAYS 
WELL SPENT — AFFECTING FAREWELL — KOBE DILIGENT 
THAN BEFORE — SICKNESS BREAKS OUT — FIR8T SIGHT 
OF INDIA LANDING AT CALCUTTA. 

NT one who has experienced the 
inconveniences and discomforts of 
a sea-voyage, will be prepared to 
' give Bishop Wilson full credit for 
his efforts to be useful during so 
trying a period. The confinement 
of the ship, to a certain extent, affected his 
health, but he made the best use of his time, 
as will be seen from the following extract 
from a letter to a friend : 

"July 2$, 1832. 

" We live very regularly. My day is this : 
I rise at six o'clock, and spend till nearly 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 113 

eight in my cabin ; then walk for a quarter 
of an hour before prayers in the cuddy, when 
I read and comment on the prophet Isaiah; 
reading and writing, with occasional walks 
of five minutes interposed, occupy the morn- 
ing till two o'clock ; we dine at three ; repose 
in cabin follows till five ; at half-past five we 
have evening prayers on deck, when I read 
and comment on the Acts of the Apostles ; 
tea at six ; then come exercise and reading ; 
at nine o'clock, private prayer in cabin, with 
my daughter and chaplain ; at ten o'clock I 
am in my cot, with light put out. Our pro- 
vision is abundant. There were shipped, 1 
understand, thirty-six dozen of poultry, forty 
sheep, forty pigs, one hundred barrels of 
beer, one hundred and fifty Yorkshire hams, 
and a cow to give milk all the voyage ; be- 
sides dried fruits, preserved meats, and wines, 
including champagne and claret." 

A letter to the Dean of Salisbury, which 
we transcribe, will interest our readers and 
furnish the best account of his experiences 
on the great deep. 

10* 



114 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

"Saturday, July 28, 1832, X. Lat. 4° 10', W. Long. 
14° 12', about 4,l>00 miles from Elngland l>y 
the lop, and 400 miles from Capo Palmaa. 

"Did you ever Bee Buch a date, with bo 
many guides to the reader? But such is the 
method of giving you a correct notion 
of our presenl spot. We are hoping to meet 
Borne homeward-bound vessel as we pass the 
line, and I write in order to avail myself of 
the opportunity. We have had a mo9t favor- 
pas age thus far — not wry quick, but 
most agreeable; do storms, no heat, no calm, 
no rain. V\ e are now entering the trade- 
winds, which will QOl have US, as we hope, 
till we reach Ihe Cape. The sea-sickness 
was a mere trifle; in one week we had over- 
come it. But the real pressure upon the 
mind and body is separation, the severing of 
all bonds of nature and habit, desolation of 
heart, the feeling of being alone and impris- 
oned on the wild, barren, boundless ocean, 
without the possibility of escape ; no change, 
no external world, no news, no communica- 
tion. Then, the difference of diet, bad wa- 
ter, bad butter, bad tea, a rolling cot by 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 115 

night and an uneasy ship by day, the head 
confined, the heart withered, the capacity of 
thought and prayer lost ! These constitute 
the privations of a five or six months' voy- 
age, undertaken for the first time, in the fifty- 
fourth year of a minister's age, and after all 
his habits and associations have been but- 
tressed and propped up by parish commit- 
tees, public duties, a circle of brethren, and 
the endearments of a family. 

" This is the dark side of the picture. 
Reverse it, and all is brightness, joy, confi- 
dence in God, peace, anticipation, gratitude 
for being permitted to enter on such a design, 
and preparation for a future clay. And all 
the previous chaos of feeling has its lesson. 
It constitutes a ' dispensation,' and draws one 
inward upon conscience, faith, prayer. These 
allure the heart out of itself, and, from the 
sensible objects of discouragement, to God 
and His sovereignty, omnipresence, all-suffi- 
ciency, and then it arrives at peace, its true 
felicity and end. I have been much reflect- 
ing on the mysterious course of events which 



116 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

have led me to this cabin as a Bishop of In- 
dia, compared with my education as a boy 
destined for commerce, in December, IT'.':.'. 
Then began that intercourse with my father- 
in-law, which led to my espousing his eldest 
daughter in I s ";;, to the parish of [slington, 
to the new churches, and from these to Cal- 
cutta. When I trace back this order of 
-. I am smitten with adoration at the 
and compassion of the L<>nl. If a 
link had been wanting in the chain, 
ilir whole would have fallen to pieci -. Fes, 
my beloved friend, I look back, like Jacob, 
to the time when with my staff I passed 
Jordan, and now I am become two hands. 
To the Lord only be all the praise ascribed. 
^Iy heart overflows with love and adoration 
to my God and Saviour for all His mercies. 
And yet other feelings perhaps surpass these 
— a sense of humiliation for my returns for 
all these benefits. I cannot enter upon this 
topic, it would defeat its object. But God 
knoweth my heart. What a sinner before 
my practical knowledge of the Gospel, and 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 117 

what a feeble, wandering soul since! One 
more thought, however, equals, or ought to 
equal, this — the desire to glorify God, and 
fulfil my duties in the Superintendence and 
Bishojjric, now so unexpectedly entrusted to 
me. All my past history should make me 
the more anxious to amend, to rise higher, 
to acquire more wisdom, to act with more 
decision, promptitude, disinterestedness, and 
consistency ; to believe, love, and obey, with 
more elevated and aspiring motives than 
ever. Nothing more easy than to mar the 
last scene of life. But to fill it up with 
dignity, meekness, discretion, holiness, sim- 
plicity of aim — this is the difficulty. Lord, 
help me !" 

It had been arranged, previously to Bishop 
Wilson's departure from England, that he 
should stop at the Cape of Good Hope, and 
discharge such Episcopal functions as might 
be required, notice having been sent before- 
hand to that effect. 

When the vessel reached Cape Town, he 
was sorry to find that these despatches had 



118 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

not been received, and no preparations made 
for bis visit. 

The Bishop was, however, received with 
the utmost courtesy by the Governor, and 
arrangements were made to enable him to 
spend the brief period of hie Bojourn to the 
best advantage. Besides preaching on sev- 
eral occasions, \i>i r i ?ilt the schools, conse- 
crating two pieces of ground on which 
churches were to be built, attending a meet- 
:'•<:■ Promoting Christian 
Knowledge, and holding an ordination, he 
confirmed three hundred persons. An affect- 
ing farewell address closed his labors at 
Cape Town — when many followed him to 
the Bhip, and with tears and prayers for his 
y, bade him good-bye. The ten days, 
thus profitably spent, were long remembered 
with satisfaction and delight by the inhab- 
itants of the Cape, and the Bishop found in 
them a useful preparation for the more 
arduous duties which awaited him. During 
the remainder of the voyage he diligently 
applied himself to his studies, drew closer to 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 119 

the missionaries and catechists, who were 
his fellow-passengers, and began a course of 
lectures in his private cabin, in anticipation 
of the ordination at Calcutta. 

Meanwhile, sickness had broken out, the 
Bishop's daughter being one of the suf- 
ferers. It was a great relief to his anxious 
mind when they reached the yellow waters 
of Sangor — and, in clue time, the low mud 
banks of the Hooghly presented themselves 
to view. 

When the ship cast anchor off Kedgeree, 
a little steamer came alongside, bringing 
Archdeacon Corrie and Dr. Mill — the former 
of whom, having long known the Bishop, 
now hastened forward, embraced, and kissed 
him, with the most tender affection. The 
James Sibbald was towed by the steamer to 
Calcutta, where the Bishop landed, under a 
salute from the fort, on Monday, November 
5th, 1832. 



£\m\tx $igMtr, 



THE BISnoP 8 INSTALLATION — KIND ADDRESS TO TnE 
OLBBGY— JURISDICTION OF THE BISHOP OF CALCUTTA 

IN 1832 A [SB DIVISION OF 80 VAST A FIELD— FIB8T 

SERMON l\ THE CATHEDRAL — GENERAL INSPECTION OF 
SCHOOLS IND MISSIONARY SOCIETIES— THE OTVILITTE8 
OF LIFF. — BISHOP'S PALACE — " ENOUGH FOB SIX 
M ' FtlAGE OF A DAUGHTER— TWO SHEARS 

FOB A< OLIMA I l<>\ [MPOSSEBILIl V OF PL! A8ING EVERY- 
BODY— WE 01 HER CHILDREN — PER- 
IL HABITS- GAINING INFOBMATION— 
FBLENDLI i.ND CONFIDENTIAL [NTEBOOUBSE WITH THE 
GOVEBNOR-GENERAL — ATTENDING T< > BUSINESS ON 
HOBSEBAI K— "LOBD WILLLAM is LESS OF A CHUBOHMAN 
THAN I 001 1 



z£^) HE pame morning that Bishop AVil- 
landed at Calcutta, he went to 
rhe cathedral, where he was in- 
stalled* by Archdeacon Corrie, wi:h 
the usual ceremonies, about twenty 
clergymen being present. He took 
advantage of this occasion to make a short 




* A full description of the service of installation will 
be found in the Life of Bishop Stewart, of Quebec, in this 
series, p. 94. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 121 

and affectionate address, in which he begged 
an interest in their prayers, and assured them 
that he wished to be regarded as a brother Jo 
the older clergy, and a father to the younger. 

The jurisdiction of the Bishop of Calcutta, 
in 1832, extended over territories now wisely 
divided into sixteen distinct dioceses. The 
burden was enough to crush any one who 
should make the attempt to carry it, and yet 
the new prelate of India was resolved, by 
God's help, to do what he could. So little 
had hitherto been accomplished in the way 
of establishing great general principles of 
action, that he was obliged to proceed with 
extreme caution, taking advice from others, 
and calling his own good sense into constant 
requisition. 

On the 11th of November, the Bishop 
preached his first sermon in the cathedral, 
choosing for his theme the language of St. 
Paul [Ephesians iii. 8], " The unsearchable 
riches of Christ." A large and attentive 
congregation, including the public author- 
ities, was in attendance. 
11 



122 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

He next went round preaching in all the 
other churches in Calcutta and the neighbor- 
hood. He also visited Bishop's College and 
the several mission schools, prebided over 
meetings of the Societies for Promoting 
Christian Knowledge, and for the Propaga- 
tion of the Gospel, besides writing Letters of 
instruction to Madras, Bombay, Ceylon, 
Australia, and China. 

All this while the whole society of Calcutta 
was paying him the courtesies due to his 
position and oilier, and he was busy making 
arrangements for taking possession of the 
house which the Government provided for 
his ue . Thig was entirely unfurnished, and 
when the Bishop fire see it, he found 

such a scanty supply of chairs and tables 
scattered through it, that he said to Arch- 
deacon Corrie, to whom he had written from 
England to have it provided with all things 
needful, " Why is this ?" The good clergyman 
replied, " I thought, my lord, that there was 
enough to last for six months." As most of 
the Bishop's predecessors had died within 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 123 

this brief space, he concluded, in his sim- 
plicity, that it would be foolish to make 
arrangements for a longer period. The 
Bishop smiled, but immediately gave orders 
to have the house completely furnished. 
India was henceforth to be his home, and, in 
order to prolong his days for usefulness, 
he must secure for himself the comforts of 
life. 

Before the close of the year 1832, the 
Bishop's daughter became the wife of his 
chaplain — the Rev. Josiah Bateman — a mar- 
riage which gave great satisfaction to the 
devoted father. The new comers had been 
advised to remain for two years in Calcutta, 
in order to become acclimated, and they fol- 
lowed these prudent counsels. 

It is impossible for a man to please every- 
body, let him act as wisely and prudently as 
he may. Bishop Wilson soon found that 
Calcutta was like Jerusalem of old. " There 
were children sitting in the market-place, and 
calling one to another, and saying, 'We have 
piped unto you, and ye have not danced ; we 



124 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.'" 
Bishop Heber had been blamed for neglect- 
Lag etiquette; Bishop Wilson whs blamed for 
observing it. Bishop Turner had been cen- 
Bured for keeping no establishment, seeing 
little Bocie y, being little known, and failing, 
ly, in acquiring that influence 
which be had i led in carrying out 

his wise and practical measures. Bishop 
Wile 'ii v i ation for k e] - 

. for using hospitality, and for 
acquiring in this way valuable friends and 
extensive influence. 

But wisdom is justified of all her children. 
His personal habits at this time were very 
simple and regular. He rose early, and rode 
on a small black horse, brought from the 
Cape, which for a time was able 10 take care 
both of itself and its master, and by an easy 
amble gave air without effort. Private de- 
votions were succeeded by family prayers in 
the chapel which he had himself fitted up. 
His chaplain, from the reading-desk, read 
the appointed lesson, and he, from his seat, 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON". 125 

expounded it, and then prayed. A hearty 
breakfast of rice, fish, and soojee (a kind of 
porridge) followed. The morning was then 
given to business. At mid-day he rested, and 
generally slept for two hours; and though 
business went on, he was never disturbed. 
Refreshed by sleep, he was ready for the 
afternoon dak, and for any matters that 
pressed for decision. The evening ride or 
drive and the late dinner followed; family 
prayers and evening devotions closed the 
day. Good appetite and sound sleep, the 
two pillars of good health, sustained him 
during the many years of his Indian coarse. 
He was indefatigable in acquiring informa- 
tion. Every chaplain as he visited the Presi- 
dency, each missionary when he called on 
business, travellers like Dr. Wolff from far 
countries, all civil and military servants with 
whom he came in contact, were put under 
contribution. E"o pains were spared, no 
opinion despised, no advice rejected. A visit 
to Dr. Carey at Serampore elicited many 
interesting reminiscences of the early Chris- 
11* 



126 LIFE OF BISnOP WILSON. 

tiauity of India. A visit to Rnssipugla gave 
reality to the missionary work now carrying 
on. A friendly conversation witb Dr. Duff 
furnished important informs ion on die sub- 
of native edncation. All was written 
down at the time in a Ms. book, and pre- 
served for ftiture perusal, enlargement, <t 
correction. ELe was, in truth. jhly a 

man of business. II is h his work. 

It » Dgros ed even hie morning ride and even- 
ing drive. When ethers, weary with a sleep- 
night or breathless day, sought the early 
[ng ai'- or cool evening breeze, and felt 
totally unfit for business, he seemed tit for 
nothing else, and to like nothing half so well. 
Join him, and the business oi yesterday, the 
plans of to-day, the pros] - morrow, 

were instantly brought upon the tapis; and 
the matters discussed already many times, 
were discussed at full length once more. It 
was thus he developed his ideas and fixed his 
purposes. His mind was cleared and made 
up, not so much by thought as by conversa- 
tion. The repetition caused him no weari- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 127 

ness. Business was Lis recreation and de- 
light." 

When Bishop Wilson first reached Calcutta, 
he was received by the Vice- President, at- 
tended by his aides-de-camp ; the Governor- 
General, Lord Bentinck, being then absent 
on a tour through the upper provinces. The 
Governor-General, however, sent him a cour- 
teous greeting, and after returning to Calcutta 
in February, 1833, he called on the Bishop 
without ceremony, and friendly and confi- 
dential intercourse at once began. They 
were accustomed to go out on horseback 
together almost daily, and much important 
business was transacted during these pleasant 
rides. 

" Lord and Lady William," says the 
Bishop, when writing to Mr. Charles Grant, 
" are a blessing to India. We differ widely 
about establishments, etc., but what is that 
compared to a difference, which might easily 
occur, about the good of India, the interests 

-~ Bateman, p. 252. etc. Many passages taken in whole 
or in part from this work, are not specially noted. 



128 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

of the Datives, and the diffusion of Christi- 
anity, on which we are Btrongly agreed?" 

i again, later: "Lord William Is rather 
more of a Whig, and less of a Churchman, 
than ! . . comparably better 

than the I irchman, if without 

ity. Lord William 
• jinc re professors 
and i: >ul he has prejudii es against 

bishoj -. - • tl establishments, and 

:al churc 



Qmin pttft. 



DETAILS OF LABOE DIFFICULTIES IN THE FEEE SCHOOL, 

AND MEASUKES TAKEN TO EECONCILE THEM PUBLI- 
CATION OF PAINE'S "AGE OF SEASON" — LECTUEES 

ON THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY CLEEICAL 

MEETINGS THEIE EFFECTS — BISHOP'S COLLEGE THE 

NEW BISHOP DOES HIS DUTY AS A YISITOE— FIEST 

OEDINATION IN INDIA A HOLY WEEK— LAEGE CON- 

FIEMATION — THE " SEVEN DUTIES" NOT TOO LATE 

AN AWKWAED INTEEELPTION — CONYEESION OF THE 

NATIVES THE BISHOP VISITS AN INTEEESTING MISSION 

CHEISTIANITY AND PAGANISM SIDE BY SIDE BAP- 
TISM ADMINISTEEED " GOOD, GOOD." 

) HE two years spent by Bishop Wil- 
son in Calcutta, while becoming 
accustomed to the enervating effects 
of the climate, were very busy ones. 
We must go somewhat into details, 
in order to show the multiplicity 
and importance of his engagements. 

The Free School — a noble institution, 
founded many years before, for the benefit 
of the East Indian and Portuguese inhabit- 
ants of the city, where three or four hundred 




130 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

children were trained for future usefulness — 
had been much hindered in its great mission 
»od, by unhappy dissensions among the 
trust 

the urgeul request of all parties, the 
I '■'- rented to arbitrate in the matter. 

II lade himself fully acquainted with 

all the particulars of the case, he brought his 
worldly wi to bear upon it, and a1 hist 

ded so perfectly in restoring harmony 
an<l peace, that he r< i cordial vot< of 

thanks for his kind and concili iduct. 

All • to him a Bubjecl of grateful 

every previous Btep had been a 
subject of fervent prayer. 

Infidelity had been active in India, as in 
other quarters of the globe, in attempting to 
bares among the wheat : and on the 
Bishop's arrival, a copy of Paine's " Age of 
Reason" was handed him — one of a large 
edition which had been published by some 
who professed to be Christians, for the per- 
version of the educated and inquiring natives. 
In order to counteract the evil effects of this 



LIFE OF BISHOP . WILSON. 131 

dangerous book, lie delivered a course of Lent 
Lectures, in the cathedral, on the Evidences 
of Christianity, which were largely attended, 
and produced a very decided impression. 

One of the Bishop's first acts was to estab- 
lish a series of clerical meetings, -to be held 
at his own house, with a view to cultivate 
more friendly relations among the clergy of 
Calcutta and the neighborhood. Personal 
friendships were thus strengthened and pre- 
judices removed, many interesting theological 
questions were discussed, and devout prayers 
offered up for the influences of the Holy 
Spirit, which we may believe were abun- 
dantly answered. The Bishop always opened 
the discussion himself, after having given a 
brief statement of measures in progress, or 
completed, for the benefit of the diocese. 
Each clergyman present was called upon in 
turn to express his opinion, and at the hour 
of prayer all proceeded to the chapel, to 
make known their wants unto God, and to 
implore the great Head of the Church to 
bless the labors of His servants. 



132 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

In 1832, although the buildings of Bishop's 
Colleg lete, and the institu ion 

was in operation, the j : b re few and 
the }' ig. According to 

;' the College, the Bishop of 
Calcutta was made a visitor, by virtue of his 
luniary arrangements being 
supposed to be sanctioned by bira ; and yet 
lany anpleasanl difficulties had arisen 
■ authorities and Bishop 
Turner, thai be had quietly withdrawn from 
all interference. His more sue- 

p felt that this would be wrong, and he 
mmed the posil ion w Inch law- 
fully belonged to him, and by a course at 
kind and decide I, he did much to pro* 
mote the usefulness of this noble institution, 
shop Wilson's first ordination, in India, 
was held on the Epiphany after his arrival, 
when two candidates were admitted to the 
holy order of Deacons, and seven to the 
Priesthood. As all subsequent ordinations 
were conducted after the same model, it will 
be proper to mention that during the week 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 133 

preceding the solemn occasion, the candidates 
were guests at the Episcopal palace — lectures 
being delivered, each daj, at morning 
prayers, from one of the Epistles to Timothy 
or Titus, of which notes were taken down 
by those for whose benefit they were deliv- 
ered. . And thus the whole week was spent 
in prayer, examination, and in familiar 
instructions — a week which was never for- 
gotten. 

On Tuesday, April 2d, 1832, the Bishop 
held his first Confirmation in India. Four 
hundred and seventy persons appeared in the 
cathedral, and participated in the sacred 
rite. Of these, more than one hundred were 
native Christians. Their numbers excited 
great astonishment at the time, and no small 
apprehension as to the effect upon those that 
were " without." They clustered round the 
communion rails, whilst the Europeans filled 
the body of the cathedral. The services 
were read, and the rite administered sepa- 
rately. 

The many confirmations following this 
12 



(.34 

first, seemed always r " be attended with :j 
blessing, i manner was most 

impr< words mosl earnes 

1 [e usua 
one, 01 tatorj . - !i • administration, 

and i after it. The full assent 

of th almost i 

sometimes 
I the clinic!! resounded with the 
A ad In 1 

Seven rules, 

which were to be repeated after him at the 
written in the Bible or th.' Prayer- 
book afterwards. Subsequently I 

led and printed ; but originally they 
were Bhort and sententious, as follows: 

1. I ' day of your life for more 
and more of God's Eoly Spirit. 

2. P >r receiving aright 
the Holy Sacrament of the Body and Blood 
of Christ 

3. Read every day some portion of God's 
Holy Word. 

4. Eeverence and observe the Lord's Day. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 135 

5. Keep in the unity of the Church. 

6. Avoid bad company, and seek the com- 
pany of the good. 

7. When you have got wrong, confess it, 
and get right as soon as you can. 

In many a Bible and Prayer-book through- 
out India these words will be found written ; 
by many a civilian, soldier, East Indian, and 
native Christian have they been repeated 
and treasured up. " Please, sir, will you 
give us our seven duties," was the constant 
request to the BishojD's chaplain after ser- 
vice. A copy of them was always made, 
and left behind at every station, for the use 
of those who had been confirmed. Many 
interesting, and some curious, incidents oc- 
curred in connection with them, of which the 
following are specimens : 

On one occasion, when the Confirmation 
was concluded in a large military station, 
and the Bishop was resting for a few minutes 
in the vestry, a young and noble-looking 
English soldier hastily entered, and made 
his military salute. On being questioned, 



136 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

it appeared thai be had been a candidate 
for Confirmation, and was duly prepared; 
but, having been on guard, he was too late 
for the ceremony, and came dow to express 
bis sorrow, and see if bis ease admitted of a 
remedy. For awhile the Bishop doubted ; 
but bis interest was roused by bearing the 
Boldier plead p knowledge, and Bay 

thai he bad !•■ in the [Islington pa- 

rochia le ; thai be had often been 

church, and that he had 
heard the Bishop's last sermon. 

" Kneel down," said the J'>i.-h<>j>. He 
knelt, and firmed, and admitted to 

the full commnnion of the Church militant 
on earth. 

On another occasion, in tin- Straits, when 
the Bishop was enumerating these seven 
duties, and requiring the assent and pledge 
of the catechumens to qbserve them, a voice 
was heard from the midst refusing compli- 
ance. An aged man had been confirmed, 
of an eccentric character. " No," he said, 
" he would observe what the rubric required. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 137 

but would pledge himself to nothing more." 
!No difficulty, of course, was made ; and with 
the surprise the matter passed away. It was 
not the time or place to dwell upon " all 
those things which your godfathers and god- 
mothers then undertook for you." 

The conversion of the natives to the true 
faith was a subject in which the Bishop felt 
the deepest interest, and whenever any mis- 
sionaries had candidates ready for Baptism, 
he was glad to give the sanction of his 
presence. 

On Whitsunday, 1833, he baptized a native 
convert, who had passed through the various 
stages between the dark regions of heathen- 
ism and the purer atmosphere of the Gospel. 
Afterwards, we find him going in a flat- 
bottomed boat, hollowed out of a tree, to 
.visit the missions of the Society for the 
Propagation of the Gospel, under the charge 
of the Rev. D. Jones, and his catechist, Mr. 
Driburg. When the little church-bell rang 
out its cheerful invitation to assemble for 
public worship, the beating of the tomtom in 
12* 



138 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

a pagan temple hard by seemed to breathe 
defiance. 

After Divine service, the candidates for 
Baptism were publicly examined, and the 
Bishop admitted seven to the ark of Christ's 
Church, and then addressed them in an im- 
pressive discourse from our Saviour's words, 
" I am the light of the world," each sentence 
being translated by the missionary. Great 
interest was manifested, and now and then a 
low murmur was heard of " good, good ;" 
" true, true ;" " yes, yes." 

During the first two years of the Bishop's 
residence in Calcutta he witnessed the bap- 
tism of one hundred and seventy-eight 
natives — a number which was afterwards 
largely increased. 



* . 



Cfrspttr %m% 



tothappy divisions among christians a hindrance 
to the gospel — bishop wilson discourages a 
spirit of proselyting — establishment of infant 

schools successful experiment — extract from a 

bengalee paper — the bishop's efforts in behalf 
of steam navigation between england and india 
— the wide space bridged oyer by oriental 

steamers renewal of the east india company's 

charter — the king authorized to make some 
important changes in church affairs — bishop 
Wilson's joy at the dawn of better days — the 
dioceses filled, and the new machinery set to 

WORK. 

HE unhappy divisions in the Chris- 
tian world present a great obstacle 
to the more rapid spread of the 
(p Gospel, and those who are called to 
labor in heathen lands find their 
difficulties much increased thereby. 
Not only are the poor benighted pagans per- 
plexed by the disputes among the disciples 
of one Lord and Master, but the missionaries 
of different denominations often expend more 




140 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

energy in battling with each other, than in 
waging war againsl the common enemy of all. 

Bishop Wilson th< ught, as the field was so 
broad, that it was inexpedient to encourage 
any thing like the proselyting of native 
Chris i; ns from other Protestant bodies — not 
isi it would occasion much hard. 
feeling among the missionaries, but because 
it might encourage persons who had been 
_ ation to seek refuge 
in anoth ■:■. Much could be said on both 
sides of such a question, and it is one about 
which g I men will conscientiously differ. 

It had been a favorite plan with the Bishop 
ablish infant schools in India, as being 
an admirable means for developing t] ie na . 
tive mind and character. Having interested 
a number of influential men in the enterprise, 
a subscription was raised of live thousand 
rupees, and a competent master and mistress 
sent for from England. The school was first 
opened, in 1834, for the benefit of the nomi 
nally Christian children of Portuguese and 
East Indian descent, and every thing prom- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 141 

ised well. The Bishop presided at a public 
examination which was held in the Town 
Hall, in June of the following year, many 
influential natives being present, and express- 
ing themselves as greatly delighted with the 
exercises. 

It was now determined to open a school 
for native children, to be under the care of 
the same master and mistress as the other 
school, but in a distinct apartment. In four 
months' time, an examination of native chil- 
dren, from two to seven years of age, was 
held, a large audience having assembled to 
witness it. One hundred native infants, 
clad in the splendid dresses of the East, and 
decked with the ornaments of the harem > 
crowded the platform, and went through all 
the exercises usually displayed at home. 
They spoke English fluently, sang hymns, 
marched, clapped hands, examined one an- 
other, showed wonderful intelligence, and 
elicited universal admiration. No infant 
school in England could have surpassed these 
little bright-eyed, dark-skinned Indians. The 



142 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

experiment c >mpl itely answered. The Euro- 
gentry More charmed; and the feeling 
amongst the natives, generally, may be 
judged of by an extract from a Bengalee 
newspaper published al the time. Thus 
spake the editor of the Gyananeshum : 

•• < Mi Thursday morning a meeting of the 
Infant School Society was held in the Town 
■d Bishop, sir Edward Ryan, 
Sir Benjamin Malkin, Sir J. Grant, Lady 
Ryan, and numerous other friends of educa- 
of both sexes, were present. After the 
business of the Society had been transacted, 
the boys of the native infant school were 
ushered in. They were about a hundred in 
number. The postures they put themselves 
into, at the command of their master, were 
pretty and amusing. They sang several 
English songs, and kept clapping the time 
in good order. They astonished the audience 
by the expertness with which they answered 
questions put to them in numeration, addi- 
tion, the tables of currency in this country, 
etc. All this was done, in English, by the 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 143 

Hindoo children. The audience seemed to 
be much gratified at their progress. The 
Lord Bishop took particular notice of the 
correctness of their pronunciation, which he 
highly eulogized." 

The experiment having proved a complete 
succe s, the Bishop was anxious to have such 
schools established throughout India, and 
application was made to the "Education 
Committee'" of the government to provide 
funds for the purpose. The Committee re- 
ceived the proposition with many gracious 
words, and for three years nothing was done 
on the subject. Meanwhile the native school 
in Calcutta continued to prosper, but another 
generation may pass away before the many 
advantages of such institutions will be enjoy- 
ed throughout the widely extended bounda- 
ries of India. 

But it was not only in religious and educa- 
tional matters that the Bishop exerted him- 
self for the benefit of society. Among other 
subjects which engaged his attention was 
that of steam communication between Eng- 



144 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

land and her distant provinces in the East. 
In 1832 it was not uncommon for a letter to 
be one hundred and seventy or eighty days 
on the voyage, a most unfortunate delay for 
those engaged in business, and most painful 
to kindred and friends living a1 such a dis- 
tance apart. 

I tishop Wilson felt that by shortening the 
long intervals of correspondence, the general 
interests of India would be mateiially pro- 
i d, and the Gospel extended under more 
favorable auspiees. The subject had been 
about for some time, and here it 
seemed likely to end, until he came to the 
assistance of those most nearly interested, 
when a feasible plan of operations was imme- 
diately prepared and permanent steps taken. 
It was unusual, indeed, to see a bishop pre- 
siding over a public meeting where such 
questions were discussed, but his rare gifts 
of energy and decision, tempered by pru- 
dence and common sense, were too much 
needed at such a time to permit him to re- 
main inactive. He did not cease to exert 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 145 

himself in the cause until the distance be- 
tween England and India was bridged, as it 
were, by those splendid Oriental steamers 
which have done so much to soften the neces- 
sary pains of absence, and to insure, in cases 
of danger, earnest sympathy and prompt 
relief. 

In October, 1833, tidings reached India 
that a bill had been brought into Parliament 
for the renewal of the East India Company's 
charter, which also empowered the king to 
divide the diocese, to erect Calcutta into a 
metropolitan see, and to appoint two suffra- 
gan bishops for Madras and Bombay. While 
Bishop Wilson was ready to shrink back at 
the bare thought of the responsibilities which 
would thus be laid upon him, his heart over- 
flowed with thankfulness at the brightening 
prospects of the Church. 

" How can I tell you my joy at the pros- 
pect of the suffragan bishops !" he says r in 
a letter to an old friend. " How I labored 
that plan before I left England, in June, 
1832 ! The president, the chairman, the 
13 



146 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Archbishop, the Bishop of London, the secre- 
tary of tli^ Board — all were assailed and 
urged by me in turns. The two Mr. Grants 
at first thought the whole plan impracticable, 
but ended (after three months' incessanl 
drives, and comparisons of plans, and refer- 
in the arrangement of a 
bill, drawn by Mr. Groom', the solicitor of 
'. e Board. 

u Well do I remember Mr. Simeon Baying, 
thai if I had been made Bishop of Calcutta 
carry thai measure, and was never 
to reach India, J Bhould have done a s 
w<»rk. My disappointment, of course, was 
the more keen when Dr. Dealtry sent me 
word Lasl August that it had been found im- 
practicable to bring in the bill thai session; 
for on the Saturday, June 16th, when I dined 
at Mr. Grant's, the first thing Earl Grey had. 
said, upon my being introduced to him, was, 
that he highly approved of the measure as 
circulated by Mr. Grant, and thought it very 
reasonable. I then went up to the Bishop 
of Loudou, and with joy brought him to the 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 147 

Prime Minister, when he confirmed what he 
before had said. This took me to Mr. Grant 
and to the chairman, to express my gratitude 
and delight. I conceived, in fact, that the 
thing was carried, and so it was ; for now it 
is inserted in the charter speech, not as a 
matter of debate, but as previously arranged ; 
and probably the very bill drawn and ready 
in June, 1832, will be passed now. And 
how greatly are my joy and gratitude to 
Providence enhanced by the very delay and 
disappointment ! Mr. Grant's speech came 
upon me as a thunder-stroke. I wrote off 
instantly a long letter under the first impulse 
of joy. I have now heard from Dr. Dealtry 
(June 23) to know my wishes as to the men. 
I have proposed Archdeacon Corrie for Ma- 
dras, Archdeacon Robinson for Bombay, and 
Archdeacon Carr, now of Bombay, to be, by 
my appointment, Archdeacon of Calcutta, 
instead of Corrie. 

" I am advising Corrie to proceed to En- 
gland instanter for consecration, and I pro- 
pose to meet him, on his return, at Madras, 



14S LIFE OB BISHOP WILSON. 

and consecrate (if we are permitted) Robin- 
son. 

- M\ bouI swells with thanksgivings and 
praise to God for bis vast mercy, Dot as it 
ipate, but the permanent 
good of India. Bui I fear even to write to 
you of these feelings, Lesl I should grieve the 
Holy Comforter; for Satan's grand assault 
upon my mind Bince March 27th, l v 

»n, joy, natural spirits, eager pursuit of 
bject, a soul panting to stretch 

to the length and breadth of my vast 

ae." 
The bill passed Parliament August 21st, 
L833, and reached India at the close of the 
year. Considerable delay occurred in carry- 
in-- out its provisions; for the expenditure 
sanctioned for the whole ecclesiastical estab- 
lishment was li mired, and the Archdeaconry 
of Bombay being filled up, as we have seen, 
the funds did not at once admit of the ap- 
pointment of both bishops. Eventually, 
however, all came round. Archdeacon 
Come — one of those men whose praise is in 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 149 

all the churches, and whom the Bishop 
deemed, for meekness and gentleness of 
spirit, more like his Divine Master than any 
one he had ever known — was recalled from 
the visitation on which, with proper allow- 
ances, now for the first time obtained, he 
had been engaged, and sent to England. He 
returned, in 1835, Bishop of Madras. The 
Archdeacon of Madras retired on his pension. 
Archdeacon Carr was summoned home in 
1837, and returned Bishop of Bombay. 

All the dioceses were then filled, and a 
new machinery began to work. It formed a 
precedent of vast importance for a spreading 
church, and has been followed, both in Aus- 
tralia and in Africa. They also have now 
their metropolitans and suffragans ; and 
if ever, in the providence of God, these great 
dependencies are separated from the parent 
stock, their Church will still retain within 
itself the power of reproduction and indefi- 
nite expansion — still be enabled to put forth 
great branches, and bear fruit for the healing 
of the nations. 



Oaptcr (tlcbcntlj. 



THE WANT OP SUITABLE PLACES POB PUBLIC WOBSBJP — 
A FEASIBLE PLAN FOB REMEDYING THE KVII, — ITS 

BEATIFYING BEST LTI A KNOTTY QUESTION which LED 

TO SOME DIFFICULTIES— THE BISHOP LOSES OONFIDENOl 
IN PUBLIC MEN — PBEPABATIONS FOB A VISITATION 01 
HI- DIO< BSE- !il- I'll:- l I ll \ BGE l" THE OLE 
DEPi -w HAT HAPPENED THESE — 

a FLOUBISHING NUTMEG PLANTATION, AM- [Tfl OLEB- 
IOAL OWN! nsrOIDENT — ABBIYAL at 

BINGAPOBE- IJ- BBLIGI0U8 DESTITUTION SOME EM- 
POBTAOT BTBPS B .: X BUPLES KE- 

M<>\ 1:1 >. 

HE want of suitable buildings for 
public worship had long beeo felt 
in India, and the barrack and 
^^§s ^ e ^ a ^" room na0 ^ been the only 
places which could be secured for 
the purpose. JSTo regular plan for 
remedying the evil was proposed until 1834, 
when a communication appeared in the 
Christian Intelligencer (then edited in Cal- 
cutta by Bishop Wilson's chaplain and son- 




LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 151 

in-law), suggesting that a fund should be 
raised, by voluntary subscriptions through- 
out India, of one rupee a month — the man- 
agement of the fund being vested in the 
Bishop, Archdeacon, and Presidency chap- 
lain. 

This plan, with some modifications, was 
speedily carried into effect, and its results 
may be gathered from a brief extract from a 
report published in 1857: "There are now 
one hundred and twenty churches in this 
diocese (Calcutta), including those in the 
course of erection ; and to sixty-six of these- 
has this ' One-Rupee-Subscription Fund' 
contributed, since its commencement in 
1834, sums amounting to eighty-one thou- 
sand seven hundred and thirty-eight rupees." 

During all the time which had elapsed 
since the Bishop's coming to India, we must 
imagine him taking exercise every morning 
on horseback, usually in company with Lord 
William, and discussing important questions 
of Church and State, as usual. The relation 
of the chaplains to the Government and the 



152 T.IFK OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Bishop was one of these, and it had caused 
no little disturbance and anxiety. 

Having mally requested by the 

• I define the duties of chaplains 

at military stations, and to give his opinion 
as to the _ ■ ■ ■: authority which it was 
proper for the commanding officer to exer- 
5, he acceded to the re- 
rding to bis best judgment, the 
1 ral fully a£ ith him in 

his d( when 

Lord published his official o 

not loi urds, he took entirely different 

ground. The Bishop could hardly believe 
.iu.ii he read the paper, but after 
having appealed, in several aide Letters, from 
the decision which had been made, he sub- 
mitted a* patiently as he could. Few under- 
stood how deeply his feelings had been 
wounded, and how much his confidence in 
public men had been impaired. His private 
notes, however, make some disclosures. He 
thus writes : 

" If, after consulting a bishop as to the 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 153 

relative position of military officers and chap- 
lains, and agreeing solemnly with the ex- 
planations given, the Government can then 
publish orders in contradiction to that ex- 
planation, and their own avowed pledge of 
concurrence ; if they do this without inform - 
' ing the Bishop ; if they do it after having 
communicated other points of difference, but 
concealed this, what can a bishop do or hope 
for? Where is faith or trustworthiness to 
be found ? 

" But, hush, my soul ! Silence thy human 
reasonings and carnal complaints ! This is 
Thy hand, O my God ! and Thou, Lord, 
hast done it. Is it not by Thy permission, 
and for the spiritual humiliation of the 
Christian, that the events of this world take 
place ? Before Thy righteousness I desire to 
bow, trusting that Thou canst reverse these 
evils, if for our real and highest good, and 
believing that Thou art calling on us to 
cease from man and creature props, and to 
rest ourselves entirely and unreservedly on 
Thy Almighty Arm." 



154 LIFE OF BISnOP WILSON. 

The climate of India and the pressure of 
business were producing their effect upon the 
health, and he was by no means 
sorry when the two years were ended, and 
upon a visitation of his exten- 
sive di ■ -■-. The serious illness of his 
daughter, which rendered a sea voyage indis- 
ible, increased his anxiety to leave Cal- 
cutta, and he accordingly requested that a 
\ might be provided for conveying him- 
:i«l his suite to the various settlements 
on tin- eastern coast, and thence across the 
Bay of Bengal to Madras and Ceylon. 

The primary visitation was held in the 
cathedral, at Calcutta, on the 13th of August, 
1834, twenty-one clergymen being present, 
when the Bishop delivered his charge, which 
had occupied his attention for several months 
past. When his reverend brethren gathered 
about him, he commenced his address by 
saying, "That in the short space of twelve 
or thirteen years a fifth bishop of Calcutta 
should be addressing his reverend brethren 
from this chair, is a most affecting memorial 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 155 

of the uncertainty of life, and of the mys- 
teries of the Divine judgments. As to man, 
all is weakness and change. The pastoral 
staff drops from the hand before it is grasped. 
Measures are broken off in the midst ; and 
we must look to the mercy of God alone for 
the settlement and future safety of our 
apostolical branch of Christ's holy Catholic 
Church in India." His feelings were over- 
powering; all the circumstances connecting 
together the past and the present seemed to 
rush upon his mind ; his voice faltered ; he 
paused in deep emotion, and was a consider- 
able time ere he could resume his self-com- 
mand. Then, continuing his address, he 
riveted the attention of all his hearers, and 
sympathy gave place to a feeling of deep 
solemnity. 

The statistical part of the address showed 
a considerable improvement in Church affairs 
in India. 

After the close of this interesting assembly, 
the Bishop delivered a farewell sermon at the 
cathedral, and early on Monday morning, 



156 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

August 24th, he embarked, under the usual 
salute, and went forth on his first visitation. 
The passage to Penang was prolonged by 
adverse winds, and was rendered more anx- 
fcinued ill health oi hie daugh- 
ter : bnl "ii the 19th of September the \ 

i into the roadstead formed by the Island 
side, and the Qneda 
Oonntry on the other. 

The B mop and hie party Landed immedi- 
ately, and were hospitably received and shel- 
tered! Sir Benjamin M 
the ■! Record r of the S raits, 
►uld exceed the kindm s mani- 
d by himself and hie excellenl 1 idj 

>hop'e sta^ ; and alter 
he left, his daughter, having derived no ben- 
efit from the sea voyage, and being unable to 
continue it, found there a home for many 
months, and remained until increasing illness 
compelled a permanent return to England. 

The real business of the visitation soon 
began, and all that could be done the Bishop 
did. The chaplain was first visited in his 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 157 

parsonage, and the Bishop looked grave 
when he found attached to it a nourishing 
nutmeg plantation. Words of caution only 
were spoken now, but the pursuit was after- 
wards forbidden. 

The colonel in command at the station, 
wishing to show the Bishop all possible 
respect, proposed that the troops should pass 
in review before him, which was accordingly 
done. This is rather amusing to think of, 
but it was meant in kindness, and it was so 
received. Having visited the schools and 
hospitals, preached three times, confirmed 
forty-eight persons, and administered the 
Lord's Supper, he took his leave and em- 
barked for (Singapore. This is a free port, 
to which merchants of all nations had access, 
and the place had neither been famed for 
morality nor honesty. As no church had 
hitherto been built, and religious services 
were not celebrated with any regularity, the 
Bishop was very desirous to take prompt 
measures for establishing a better state of 
things. He landed on Saturday night, and 
14 



158 LIFE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 

sent around notice of Divine service and the 
Holy Communion for the following morning, 
and of a public meeting for Monday. The 
attendance on the Sunday Bervice was Large, 
and all the influential people in the settle- 
ment met on Monday morning, to discuss 
the propriety of building a church. The 
Bishop presided, by their request, and sub- 
mitted a plan for raising funds, which was 
lily adopted, and three thousand dollars 
subscribed before the adjournment of 
the meeting. 

The young persons who were desirous of 
Confirmation were then called together, and 
examined and instructed. A good many of 
them having been brought up Presbyterians, 
had Borne objection to the reference in the 
preface to the Confirmation office to god- 
fathers and godmothers. The Bishop decided 
that, in all such cases, the natural parents 
stood to their children in God's stead; and 
that this being previously understood and 
allowed on both sides, they might answer 
conscientiously, and he confirm willingly. 



LITE OF BISHOP WILSON/ 159 

He then addressed them earnestly upon 
the point of dedication to God, and on the 
appointed day administered the rite. 

Having consecrated the church-yard, and. 
encouraged the building committee to go on 
with their work, the first Episcopal visit ever 
paid to Singapore was brought to a close. 



Chapter £ toelftlr. 



MALACCA CAUGHT NAPPING — RB8ULT OF THE BISnOP'S 
VISITATION — M'»i i.mi:i\ — VKI.I.ow BOBES AND SHAVEN 
BBAD8 — HOPEFUL PB08PEOT8 — BPIOY BREEZES FBOM 
OETLON — THBBB WEEKS OF CONSTANT LABOB — DAN* 
; 9 PAS8AOB I" UADBAS — NABBOW ESCAPE FBOM 
SHIFWREOE OIAL BRBAND, AND NOT A PLEA- 

SANT KOBE EALF- 

WA1 I WINNOWING THE CHAFF FBOM THE 

WHEAT— TIME-8EBVTN/3 POLIOl "I THE GOVEBNMENT 
— PB< DANJOBE — "THE TBAOE OF THE HOLT 

AND BELOVED HEB1 B M — BEOEPTION AT TANJOBE — THE 
OLD NAiivi; PB2E8T — BBCBET ABPTRAI 

( K the night of October 10th Bishop 
WilsOD landed at Malacca, and sought 
shelter in the old white Siadt-house, 
no one being there to welcome or to 
entertain him. "From the sublime 
to the ridiculous there is but a step," 
he said, with great good-humor, as he seated 
himself upon an empty box ; and the next 
morning, with his usual energy, all necessary 
arrangements for the visitation were made. 
Divine service was celebrated in the old 




LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 161 

Dutch church, which the trustees kindly 
offered to transfer to the Bishop if he would 
consecrate it, and secure the appointment of 
a chaplain. He promised to do his best to 
obtain a clergyman for them, appointed a 
candidate for Holy Orders, as lay-reader, but 
deferred the consecration of the building 
until a chaplain had been sent. Twenty-nine 
were confirmed, and thirty-one communi- 
cated ; and after bidding the people an affec- 
tionate farewell, he writes home in regard to 
Malacca : 

" God grant that the spices and fragrance 
of grace and holiness may equal the exquisite 
odors of this place, But one feels horrified 
to think that we are in the midst of pirates, 
murderers, and opium eaters — men of fierce 
and barbarous usages beyond conception. 
Oh, what would not Christianity do for these 
poor creatures ! It is a comfort to think that 
the rule of England is merciful and bene- 
ficial compared with that of the Malays, 
Mohammedans, Portuguese, or even the 
Dutch, imperfect as our Government is. 
14* 



162 life of Bisnor wtlson. 

May the spirit of real piety and zeal fill our 
rulers more and more! I am sure the 
Bishop - enough to do, as well as the 
clergy, in beginning every thing aright." 

The steamer now turned her course to- 
wards Moulmein, and hen' it occurs to me 
commend the reader to open a map of 
and follow the Bishop in his journey- 
All was new and strange in Moulmein, 
which was pari of the territory ceded to the 
English in the last war. Pagan priests with 
flowing yellow rohes and shaven heads 
were numerous, and idols of gigantic size 
sat in the temples which had been erected for 
their worship. A large body <>!' English 
troops were then stationed in Moulmein, and 
many distinguished officers. 

Mr. Hamilton, the chaplain, assisted in 
making arrangements for the Bishop's visit- 
ation, which included an inspection of the 
schools and hospitals, the consecration of a 
handsome Gothic church, and the adminis- 
tration of the rite of the " Laying On of 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 163 

Hands." On the 28th of October the Bishop 
took his leave. 

" I have been finishing," he says, " the 
last Sunday of my second year's residence in 
India by preaching my hundred and fifty- 
second sermon, before five or six hundred 
persons of all ranks, in the newly consecrated 
church of Moulmein. It is a beautiful struc- 
ture, just such as Augustine built in England 
at the conversion of the larger cities towards 
the end of the sixth century. We have been 
proclaiming the Gospel in the Burman 
Empire, with China on one side and India 
on the other ; Bhud and his monstrous 
fables deceiving four hundred millions on 
our right ; and Brahma with his metaphys- 
ical atheism chaining down one hundred 
millions on our left ; whilst the base impos- 
tor Mohammed rages against the Deity and 
Sacrifice of the blessed Saviour in the midst 
of both, with ten or twenty millions of fol- 
lowers. But our Divine Loed shall ere long 
reign ; and Bhuddist, and Brahminist, and 
Mohammedan — yea, the infidel, and papist, 



16i LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

and nominal Christian throughout Asia, shall 
unite in adoring 11 is cross." 

On the 7th of November the Bishop was 
regaled with the Bweet freezes from the cin- 
namon groves of Ceylon, and a new and 
beautiful scene was unveiled before him. 
But he had something to do besides inhaling 
fragrant odors and admiring lovely scenery. 
Many urgenl matters pressed for settlement, 
misunders andings between the highest au- 
thorities of Church and State must be exam- 
ined into; disunion among the clergy must 
be healed ; learned controversies in regard to 
two different versions of the Bible into 
Cingalese must be listened to, and a final de- 
cision made — all this, and more, came upon 
the Bishop at the very beginning of his visit- 
ation. He exercised a sound discretion in 
the settlement of every difficulty, and if all 
parties were not satisfied, none could censure 
him for showing an undue bias to either 
side. 

On Sunday, lie preached to an overflowing 
congregation, in the Fort church, and on 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 165 

Tuesday confirmed one hundred and eight 
young persons, the words and final blessing 
being repeated in English, Cingalese, Por- 
tuguese, and Tamul. 

On Tuesday the Bishop held his visitation 
and delivered his charge to the clergy. 
These multiplied engagements were varied 
by a visit to the Church Missionary Institu- 
tion at Cotta, which he thus describes : ; ' I 
must tell you of the exquisite drive we have 
had through the cinnamon gardens for five 
miles. Nothing since the garden of Eden 
was so beautiful — a vast field of green fra- 
grant bush, with every fibre and branch 
bursting with cinnamon. But even this 
extraordinary scene yields to the moral fra- 
grance of this dear missionary station of 
Cotta, now numbering twelve out-stations, 
four clergymen, twenty-one native teachers, 
six hundred average attendants on public 
worship, twenty-one communicants, nineteen 
seminarists, sixteen schools, and four hun- 
dred and thirty scholars. Our honored Mr. 
Lambrick, after eighteen years of steady and 



166 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

holy labor, presides over the whole. "Will 
you believe that I have been- examining 
native youth in the English Scriptures, 
geography, history , astronomy, mathematics, 
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew V 

Fifty-five young natives were confirmed 
here. Having made an excursion to Kandy, 
tin- ancient capital of the island, where 
Bhuddism was seen in one of its strong- 
holdsj and a faithful missionary was cheered 
in the midsl of discouraging labors, the 
Bishop returned to Colombo on the 18th of 
November, in time to examine the candi- 
dates for Holy Orders. Three days after- 
wards, the ordination was held, and soon he 
was under way for Matura and Trincomalee. 
At the latter place, the visitation of Ceylon 
ended, having cost three weeks of incessant 
labor. 

In his passage to Madras, the Bishop 
barely escaped from death, through the 
mercy of Him who can rule the raging of the 
sea. The condition of the poor, worn-out 
vessel was so perilous, that the captain cried 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 167 

out in despair, " I can do no more ; tell the 
Bishop he had better go to prayers." Al- 
most overcome with fatigue and sea-sickness, 
the good man obeyed the summons, and hav- 
ing read St. Paul's 'account of his shipwreck 
(Acts xxvii. 13-36), his voice being well- 
nigh drowned by the groaning of the ship 
and the noise of the waves, he called upon 
the Lord to deliver them. The Almighty, who 
hears the supplications of His servants, made 
the storm to cease. 

At day-dawn, December 10th, they landed 
at Madras. The Bishop had come here on 
an especial errand, and he had looked for- 
ward with much anxiety to the results of 
this visit. " The Caste question" had been 
the occasion of many difficulties in this por- 
tion of the missionary field, and it was con- 
cerning these that prompt measures were 
now to be taken. 

"We can only explain, very briefly, that 
while in Bengal, and elsewhere, the natives 
who embraced Christianity had been obliged 
to give up all connection with idolatry and 



168 LIFE OF BISnOP WILSON. 

its usages, greater liberty had improperly 
been granted to the converts in Southern 
India, which had allowed half the evils of 
Paganism to he retained under the name 
of Christianity. The old distinctions of 
were so far preserved as to mar the 
public worship, and to engen- 
der envy, hatred, and pride — and all this had 
been winked a: for years, Lest any interference 
on the pari of the missionaries should alien- 
ate large cumbers of their c >ngregations. 

Bishop Wilson was well informed in re- 
gard to these things, and rejecting all timid 
counsels and timeserving compromises, he 
looked at the question Bimply as a matter of 
right or wrong, and acted accordingly. In 
the summer of 1S33 he addressed an earnest 
letter on the subject to the missionaries 
throughout his diocese, in the course of 
which he takes the following decided posi- 
tions : 

" 1. The catechumens preparing mr bap- 
tism must be informed by you of the Bishop's 
decision, and must be gently and tenderly 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON, 169 

advised to submit to it. Of course, the min- 
ister informs the Bishop or Archdeacon a 
week previously to the intended baptism of 
each convert, agreeably to the directions 
given by my honored predecessor, in his 
charge delivered at Madras, in November, 
1830 ; and this will afford opportunity for 
each particular case being well considered. 

"2. The children of native Christians will, 
in the next place, not be admitted to the 
Holy Communion without this renunciation 
of castes ; their previous education being 
directed duly to this, amongst other duties 
of the Christian religion, no material diffi- 
culties will, as 1 trust, arise here. 

" 3. With respect to the adult Christians 
already admitted to the Holy Communion, I 
should recommend that their prejudices and 
habits be so far consulted as not to insist on 
an open, direct renunciation of caste. The 
execution of the award in the case of all new 
converts and communicants will speedily 
wear out the practice. 

" 4. In the mean time, it may suffice that 
15 



170 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

overt acts, which spring from the distinction 
rteSj be al i >nce and finally discontinued 
in the church ; whether places in the church 
rocerned, or the manner of approach to 
the Lord's table, or processions in marriages, 
or marks on the forehead made with painl or 
mixtures, or difference - of food and dress — 
sver be the over! acts, the? must, in the 
church, and 90 far as the influence of minis- 
e at once abandoned." 
The circulation of this Letter produced a 
sensation. Many of the native converts 
back to their old ways, and congrega- 
tions which had been large and flourishing 
were suddenly reduced to a mere handful. 
It was a thorough winnowing of the chaff 
from the wheat. The Bishop was duly in- 
formed of all that occurred, and his advice 
was freely given in all cases of perplexity. 
His difficulties were greatly increased, by the 
cowardly policy of the Government, which 
was disposed to yield to the remonstrances 
of the natives, and to suffer matters to fall 
back into their former state. Surely, England 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 171 

paid dearly, at a more recent day, for her 
unfaithfulness towards India, and her count- 
less children sunk in ignorance and degrada- 
tion ! 

Bishop Wilson was not a man to falter in 
the discharge of a plain duty, and he was 
determined to abide by the decision which 
he had given. While he remained at Ma- 
dras, he delivered sixteen sermons and ad- 
dresses, confirmed six hundred and seventeen, 
and delivered his charge to the clergy, be- 
sides attending several committee meetings of 
different religious bodies. He also preached 
twice in the church of the native Christians 
of Vepery ; and although to all outward 
appearances a stranger would have been well 
pleased with their orderly and reverent be- 
havior, one more familiar with them could 
not fail to have observed the old distinction 
of caste in as active operation as before. The 
Bishop concluded to do nothing more to re- 
strain this evil until his return from Tanjore. 
Towards that place he now hastened, treacling 
in the steps of his predecessor, and accompa- 



172 LIFi; OF BISHOP WILSON. 

nied by Archdeacon Robinson, whose society 
was as pleasant as hie experience was valu- 
able. Madras was Left on December 99th, 
and "ii the 31st, at Atcherawauk, the follow- 
ing words were written : 

" ( 'iir ten miles' march is over, oul of 

which I rode four on my Pegu pony. The 

of another year calls to consideration 

of the end of life, usefulness, projects, de- 

if the holy and beloved 

ii and affi cting indeed. Poor 

I '1 be thermometer, as la- journeyed, 

sometimes stood at 112 degrees; and even in 

his tent, the Archdeacon who accompanied 

him says they could not gel it lower than 

97 degrees. Jt was the very worst season 

of the year for the south (March to April, 

Sir Tkorfias Monro again and again 

warned him that the end of January was the 

last moment he should have left Madras. 

God's holy will, however, is thus accom- 

plished in us and in the Church. Two things 

strike me : (1) Bishop Heber's sudden death 

was necessary to seal bis doctrine, to awaken 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 173 

all India, to turn his astonishing popularity 
and loveableness into an attachment to the 
cause in which he died, to fix England and 
India in one gaze of interest. (2) His death, 
after two and a half years of residence and 
journeys, saved him all the odium, misrepre- 
sentation, conflict with the worldly, envy of 
the wicked, and jarring with religious socie- 
ties. All was thus conleur de rose / and as 
to influence after his decease, he died at the 
exact moment." 

Early on the morning of the 10th of Janu- 
ary, 1835, the Bishop espied the pagodas of 
Tanjore ; and at a ford over one of the 
brandies of the river Cavery a large number 
of native Christians and school-children were 
assembled. The venerable missionary Kohl- 
hoff was at their head, and crowds of heathen 
stood around. The river was soon crossed, 
and the Bishop immediately alighted from 
his palanquin ; but before he could salute 
them, a hymn of praise rose on the morning 
air, sounding most sweet from native tongues. 
When it was ended, mutual greetings were 
15* 



174: LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

interchanged. The Dative priesl N vanapra- 
gasen (the effulgence of glory), eighty- three 
years of age 3 drew near and was presented. 
His long white robe, combining in one gar- 
ment both gown and cassock, harmonized 
well with tin' Bnowy hair falling on his 
shoulders, and gave him a most venerable 
appearance. He took the Bishop's offered 
hand between both of his, and blessed God 
for bringing him amongst them, adding a 
hope, thai as Elijah brought back the stiff- 
necked Israelites to God, bo he might over- 
come i he obstinacy of this people. 

Alter a few more kind words, the Bishop 
bade them farewell, and hastened on to the 
Residency, where Colonel Macleane and his 
admirable family were ready to receive and 
entertain him. 

" Here I am, entering into this once flour- 
ishing Church, O Lord, in Thy name, and 
with a single eye to Thy glory and the purity 
of Thy Gospel over all India. Grant me 
Thy meekness, Thy wisdom, Thy firmness, 
Thy fortitude, Thy discretion, Thine address 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 175 

in treating with men. To Thee do I look up. 
As to myself and human power, my heart 
faileth me. For what can I do with seven- 
teen hundred revolters and ten thousand un- 
informed and prejudiced Christians ? Lord, 
undertake for me." 

Such were the first secret aspirations of his 
soul. We must leave further particulars for 
the next chapter. 




12* 



Oaptcr ahirtmitl]. 




CONDITION OF AFFAIKS — LOOKING TO 
GOD FOR JIKI.r — .-\v.\i."J/'s GRAVE — INTERESTING BEB- 

YI< E EFFORTS TO BRING THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS TO 

A BETTER MIND — JOURNEY TO TBICHINOPOLY — 8ER- 
VIOES IN THE MISSION OHUROH — BISHOP HEBER — THE 

. AGAIN Ml I.I IN., I UK Mill. I I. I Y 

BOLDLI >ME 0HANGE8 FOB THE BETTBB— ORDINA- 
TION AT TANJOBE — A BALLTING POINT GAINED 

HAPPV MX MONTHS — SAKE ABBTVAL AT CALCUTTA. 

FFA1RS at Tanjore were in a most 
\cr) unsettled condition. Large num- 
>f na ive Christians had re- 
to submit to the Bishop's 
decision in regard to forsaking their 
old pagan rulo.^ of casie, and the 
state of morals was deplorable. The mission- 
aries had become extremely unpopular, and 
every thing was as unpromising as it well 
could be. Eefuge was sought in God, as the 
only hope, and the Bishop prayed most earn- 
estly that he might be guided to do what 
was for the real good of the Church. Hav- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 177 

ing held several conferences with some of the 
native priests, catechists, and others, he in- 
vited them all to attend service on Sunday, 
and they promised to do so, if they could sit 
according to their former arrangement of 
caste. Permission was given them, on this 
occasion, to follow their own inclinations. 

On Sunday, the Bishop preached in the 
morning to the English congregation. Di- 
vine service was held in the Mission church 
— a hallowed spot, where Swartz and other 
venerable men had ministered through life, 
and found a resting-place at death ; where 
many souls, rescued from heathenism, had 
been added unto the Lord ; and where some 
of Heber's last loving words had been spoken. 

In the evening, from the same place, the 
native Christians were addressed. The ser- 
vice, necessarily, was in Tamul, and young 
Mr. Com merer, who was a catechist, and 
spoke it admirably, acted as the Bishop's 
interpreter. Seven hundred and fifty per- 
sons were counted, sitting, after their man- 
ner, on the floor of the church, of whom 



178 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

more than three hundred were Soodra men 
and women ; whilst uncounted crowds stood 
round the doors and windows. 

The Bishop's text was. " Walk in love, as 
Christ also loved us; 1 ' and he dwelt upon 
two points— the love of Christ to us, and our 
love to one another. He was very affec- 
tionate and very earnest, and the effect was 

ptible, the whole congregation was 
moved. Towards the conclnsion, he dwelt 
apon the character of the " ( ;<><*! Samaritan," 
as illustrative of the love we should bear to 

another, lie described the meeting 
with the "certain man" of the parable; the 
seeing him in distress ; not asking him who 
he was ; not dreaming of defilement by con- 
tact with him ; but meeting the present 
duty ; pouring in oil and wine ; putting him 
on his own beast ; taking care of him ; and 
all because he was in distress, and because 
he was a neighbor. 

" And what," asked the Bishop, rising 
from his seat, and with outstretched arms 
bending over the congregation which sat 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 179 

beneath him, " what did our blessed Master 
and Saviour say concerning this ? What 
was his doctrine ? What was his command ? 
What were his words ? Go and Do Thou 
Likewise !" 

A long pause of motionless and breathless 
silence followed, broken only when he be- 
sought every one present to offer up this 
prayer : " Lord, give me a broken heart, to 
receive the love of Christ and obey his com- 
mands." Whilst the whole congregation 
were repeating these words aloud in Tamul, 
he bowed upon the cushiou, doubtless en- 
treating help from God, and then dismissed 
them with his blessing. 

On Monday the Mission churches and 
buildings were inspected ; the room in which 
Swartz died, and all the other places of in- 
terest, were visited ; and then another con- 
ference was held, at which it was resolved to 
invite all native Christians, who might wish 
it, to private conversation, affording thus an 
opportunity to hear their difficulties, and 
help in their removal. Time would fail us 



ISO LIFE OF JJISHOP WILSON. 

to give even an outline of all the efforts 
which were made to bring the unhappy 
people t<> a better mind The native Chris- 
were in sore perplexity. They had 
hoped thai the Bishop would yield to their 
importunities, but they found him both 
kinder and firmer than they expected. On 
tli" 21s1 of January he set out for Trichin- 
tig to defer any final arrange- 
i ts until his return. Stopping at a large 
native station, called Multoopatty, he 
j jhed, and administered the holy Sacra- 
ment to two hundred and forty-seven native 
communicants, no foolish question of caste 
11 iling any mind. In the afternoon, six- 
teen children were baptized. 

"Never," says the Bishop, recalling this 
day, kt had I such grace given me since I 
have been in orders, now thirty-four years, 
as is now vouchsafed ; that I, who am, in- 
deed, 'less than the least of all saints,' should 
be permitted to preach amongst the Gentiles 
' the unsearchable riches of Christ.' If God 
carries me through this series of duties and 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 181 

labors, I may say truly, 'Lord, now lettest 
Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine 
eyes have seen Thy salvation.' One such 
day as we have just passed is worth years of 
common service. I really almost wish I might 
resign Calcutta, and take the see of Madras. 
These native churches require just the care I 
should delight to give." 

On Friday, January 23d, he reached 
Trichinopoly, a place of fifty thousand inhab- 
itants, where the beloved Heber died. 

Here, the troublesome caste question was 
again encountered. The Bishop preached in 
the Mission church on the day after his 
arrival, taking no notice of the Soodras, 
who were clustering together in a group by 
themselves, and who had not been near the 
church for nine* months before. They had 
a native priest amongst them, and he, as 
well as many of the congregation, being pos- 
sessed of independent property, were appar- 
ently determined to stand out. It was 
necessary, however, that the matter should 
be at once brought to an issue, for the 
16 



182 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Bishop had hut a few days to stay, and he 
would return no more. 

Here, therefore, he resolved, for the first 
time, to carry out the purpose he had formed. 
There was no hope that, in any case, the 
whole dissentient body would comply with 
his wishes. The evil lay too deep, the prej- 
udices and habits were too strong. But a 
nucleus might be formed, round which 
others might gather from time to time, and 
to which all new converts might be added. 
If this nucleus could be formed in each sta- 
tion, and arranged upon the basis of the 
Bishop's direction, then time, patience, and 
watchfulness, by God's grace, would do the 
rest. 

This, therefore, was the Bishop's purpose ; 
and to accomplish it, notice was given of 
Divine service and the administration of the 
Lord's Supper, for the very morning of his 
departure. All seemed impressed with the 
importance of the occasion, and the church 
was thronged. When the Bishop, in his 
robes, left the vestry in order to proceed to 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 183 

his seat at the communion-table and com- 
mence the service, he saw many scattered 
groups of natives standing apart from the 
main body of the congregation, who were 
seated on the floor. Fully aware of the 
cause, he joined one group, and taking two 
native Christians by the hand, he gently led 
them forward to a vacant place in front, and 
seated them. His chaplain, following in the 
surplice, by his directions, did the same. 
Others who were present were bid to assist. 
It was all done quietly, and no sort of resist- 
ance was made. The Soodra sat by the 
Pariah, and the Pariah by the Soodra, and 
both were intentionally intermingled with 
many of the authorities and influential 
Europeans of the station. 

When all was quiet, the service com- 
menced ; and in the course of it forty natives 
came up, without distinction, and were con- 
firmed. Then followed the sermon, from the 
words, " Preaching peace by Jesus Christ." 
When the holy Sacrament was about to be 
celebrated, the Bishop quietly gave directions 



18-i UEE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

the mode of administration. A Soodra 
chist received it first, tlim two Pariah 
ihists, then a European gentleman, then 

The gen- 
try of the station, having been much inter- 
; in the matter, had placed themselves at 
the Bishop's disposal; and, at the special 
requesl of the lady of the highesl rank, a 
Pariah km omunicated between her 

and her husband. This facilitated the ar- 
tnenl ; and silently, but most effectually, 
the barrier which had existed for bo long a 
time was broken down, and one hundred and 
. partook of the Lord's Supper, 
without di 

A precedent set This wraa the 

nucleus of the native Church of the future. 
Every wanderej ssentient, might 

join it; hut always in tin's way and accord- 
ing to this rule. New converts also, and 
every one who was confirmed, would know 
what was expected from them. Dead leaves 
would gradually drop off; these were to be 
the new buds. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 185 

Of course many Soodras had retired from 
the church before the Sacrament was admin- 
istered, and all had been free to do so. But 
it was found that nine families of influence 
had conformed, and were well content. 
These, with the large body of Pariahs, were 
sufficient for the purpose ; and the Bishop 
thanked God and took courage. He preach- 
ed once more, and made a collection, which 
Bishop Heber's death had prevented his 
doing nine years before, for the Propagation 
Society, and then took his departure. He 
called at the missionary station of Boodalore, 
in his way, and arrived at Tanjore again on 
Wednesday morning, January 28th.* 

Three days after his return, the Bishop 
held an ordination, when four deacons were 
admitted to the priesthood, and a Lutheran 
missionary was made deacon. The next 
morning was appointed for service with the 
natives, and as it was the last time he could 
meet them, it was anticipated with some 



• Bateman, p. 381-2. 

16* 



186 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

anxiety. The day began auspiciously by the 
receipt of a letter from the native Christians 
at Ycpery. signed by Beven, in the name and 
on behalf of all, confessing pasl errors, and 
promising unfeigned and unconditional obe- 
dience for the future. 

The morning prayers were read in Tamul 
at eight o'clock ; and at half-past ten all 
were assembled for the sermon and holy 
ment. They arranged themselves as 
they pleased : a few .-at apart ; but tlie greater 
number were mingled together. About six 
hundred v. at. The Bishop did not 

interfere, a- a; Trichinopoly. After the Lit- 
any, he preached from the words, "Why are 
ye fearful O ye of little faith?" The whole 
congregation seemed to remain for the holy 
Sacrament; for though some had retired, 
yet the church looked full. The Kesident 
and ladies of his family first approached — 
then some Soodras and Pariahs intermingled 
— then some Europeans — then natives and 
Europeans mingled — then natives and East 
Indians mingled — then one or two missiona- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 187 

ries and Datives. All was voluntary, and all 
was perfectly understood. 

The only remaining peculiarity — and that 
was fairly allowable, and perhaps desirable 
— was, that amongst the natives men and 
women communicated separately — the men 
first, the women after. The whole number 
of communicants on this occasion was three 
hundred and forty-eight. Of these, sixty- 
two were Europeans, and two hundred and 
eighty-six native Christians, amongst whom 
forty-three were Soodras from Tanjore and 
the neighborhood. Here, again, God gave 
success. .The number thus conforming cer- 
tainly was small, as compared with the many 
non-conformists; but it was sufficient for a 
precedent. It afforded a rallying point ; and 
the Bishop was content. 

The result was better than at one time he 
anticipated. Henceforth all depended on 
strengthening the mission, watching over 
new converts, and instructing the rising 
generation. 

Having delivered his "Missionary Charge" 



188 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

at Tanjore, the Bishop retraced his step.- to 
Madras, where he arrived on the 14th of 
February, l s -'i.">. "having- Bpent," he says, 
"the happiest Bix months in niy life; so 
much do I love missionary work." Ten 
• lav.- were given to Madras, and by the 2d 
of March he was once more safely sheltered 
beneath his- own root', in Calcutta, having 
completed a journey of six thousand five 
hundred miles. 



dtftajter $0urtaf|. 



AT HOME, BUT NOT IDLE — CHANGE IN THE GOVEENMENT, 

AND THE DEPARTUEE OF FEIENDS AN AFFECTING 

DUTY LOED WILLIAM EETUENS HOME — PEEPLEXING 

QUESTIONS SETTLED THE BISHOP EESUMES HIS VISIT- 
ATION ENTRANCE- GATE TO THE STEIAN CHURCHES — 

BEIEF ACCOUNT OF THEM — SEEVICES AT QUILON — SETS 

OUT FOE THE INTEEIOE — PREACHES AT ALLEPIE 

ATTEMPTS TO BENEFIT THE SYEIAN CHRISTIANS — THE 

COLLEGE AT COTTAYAM BISHOP WILSON WAITED 

UPON BY THE SYEIAN CLEEGY — HIS CONFERENCES 

WITH THEM "NEVER AGAIN SHALL I BEHOLD SUCH 

A SIGHT." 

L THOUGH Bishop Wilson had 
reached home, it was not for the 
enjoyment of rest. The atmosphere 
of Calcutta was foggy, damp, hot, 
and suffocating ; but he roused him- 
self up to bear the pressure of daily 
duties, and many perplexing cares. Changes 
were soon to take place in the government, 
friends were departing for England, and his 
own faith seemed sometimes almost to waver. 
Lord William Bentinck had suffered so se- 




190 i. ii ■■]■: OF BISHOP Wli 

from the climate, that he bad resigned 

Bice, His unpleasant difficulty with 

the Bishop was now forgotten, and the Latter 

; jiini, " I verily believe we shall never 

a tin, U;i<l his lordship been 

educated in Church principles, he would 

have i> en nearly perfect." 

Lo I K i alth had been bo poor, 

that he had been unable to attend public 

worship for some time past, and a special 

.- his benefit, which the 

•■ .1/ ■/"/. March 1" . - 

"Last eight I had a most affecting duty. 

1 : , 1 > . ine for the first and 

Last time in < J-overnmenl Souse. A drawing- 
room was fitted with a high table, covered 
with crimson cloth; seats were arranged on 
each side of the room; all the Court was 
Lbled — aides-de-camp, public and pri- 
vate secretaries, physicians — in number about 
twenty. My chaplain read the evening pray- 
ers (we were both robed), and I preached 
from the words, ' Come unto Me, all ye that 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 191 

labor and are heavy laden, and I will give 
you rest.' I used Swartz's sweet notes, 
as at Tanjore. I spoke and told out l the 
whole story,' as Joseph Milner would have 
expressed it, addressed the conscience, called 
on the infidel (such were present) to consider 
his ways, invited the superstitious (such were 
present) to the simplicity of Christ, and com- 
mended the Governor-General and his family 
and suite to the blessed Jesus during the 
voyage. They were affected to tears. After 
the prayer at the conclusion, I pronounced 
the benediction, and gave it a personal appli- 
cation by going round and laying .my hands 
on the head of each kneeling worshipper, and 
then returning to my seat and concluding it. 
The Governor-General and Lady William 
came up to thank me after service ; but they 
were almost unable to speak for tears. Who 
can tell what good may be done ? I suppose 
it was the most affecting scene ever witnessed 
at the departure of a governor-general. 

"My own soul is subsiding more and more 
into God. The excitement of India is gone 



192 Lin-. OF BISHOP WD 

by; the novelty has ceased; T have run 
through the first series of duties; human 
tes and hopes arc exhausted. V >v . 
I Jesus I I return t<> Thee. I »<» Thou, 
and Thou only, work in me, and by mc. and 
for in*', and through me. Be Tliou only 
glorifi* >lay Thy grace in the effects 

of Thy glorious Gospel in tin- hear 
men.' 1 

The daj before the Governor-General's 
departure, the Bishop was requested t<» ad- 
minister the Holy Communion al Govern- 
ment ! He makes I his i eeord ou the 
17th of March: •• I have performed the sol- 
emn None were present but Lord 
and Lady William. A;' tumunion, 
they Bat down and talked over with me the 
main things affecting my department. Not 
a word was said of the sad business of last 
June. But every thing in matters of detail 
was conceded to me that I could possibly 
wish. I then embraced each of them, and 
bade them farewell." 

And now a number of perplexing ques- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 193 

tions which presented themselves, required 
all the Bishop's wisdom and prudence and 
decision of character, rightly to settle. 
Archdeacon Corrie had gone to England, for 
consecration as Bishop of Madras ; and ac- 
cording to a very absurd custom which had 
grown up, the senior Presidency chaplain 
fully expected to be appointed his successor. 
Bishop Wilson determined that this course 
should be abandoned, and in the face of the 
most violent opposition on the part of the 
aspiring applicant and his friends, he gave 
the Archdeaconry to Mr. Dealtry, then chap- 
lain of the old church, Calcutta. 

The relations between the Bishop of Cal- 
cutta and the Church Missionary Society 
were now definitely settled ; Dr. Wilson 
being unwilling to occupy the position of 
subserviency to a committee of clergy and 
laity at home, to which his predecessors had 
felt obliged to submit. The " Select Yestry" 
of the cathedral, also, who for years had 
managed its affairs in their own way, were 
taught that a Bishop had some rights in his 
IT 



194 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

own church, and that he was able to main- 
tain them. 

These temporary troubles, however, by do 
: eans interrupt* d Bis) op Wilson'6 ministra- 
tions, and he continui ;h with accept- 
ance the < lospel of the grace i md to 
iise the peculiar functions of hie office. 
On the 13th of October, find him 
[pboard, aboul to r< 3ume his 
visitation. It was propoe the year 
at Bombay, filling ap the bri ming 
b visit to the Syrian churches, and 
■ n the coast of Malabar. From Bom- 
bay, the visitation would exten I over the 
upper provinces, and tta, in the 
spring of l B37. 

The little brig which the Government had 
provided for the Bishop, bore him safely 
down the Bay of Bengal, around Ceylon and 
Cape Comorin, and then ascending the coast 
of Malabar, landed him at Quilon, the en- 
trance-gate to the Syrian churches. The 
story of these ancient churches is well worth 
reading, but this is no place to repeat it. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 195 

Claiming St. Thomas, the Apostle, as their 
founder, they have preserved, through long 
ages, the primitive organization of the Church, 
and since Dr. Buchanan's visit in 1806, a 
friendly intercourse has been kept up with 
them. Bishop Middleton went to see them 
ten years afterwards, and Bishop Heber cor- 
responded with one of their bishops. We 
have now to accompany Bishop Wilson, on 
his visit, in the autumn of 1835. 

Landing at Quilon, he preached, con- 
firmed, and ordained, and then set out for 
the interior, several boats, each rowed by a 
dozen men, being provided for his party. 
As they approached Allepie, a station of the 
Church Missionary Society, the bell was 
heard sounding sweetly over the waters, and 
calling to evening service. Though weary 
with a journey of sixty miles, the Bishop 
preached to a congregation of about three 
hundred native Christians, and then at once 
retired to rest. 

The Church missionaries, while laboring 
amongst the heathen, in the province of 



196 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Travancore, were endeavoring, in a prudent 
way. to correct some of the abuses which had 
crept into the ancient Syrian Church. It 
was a delicate task, but they had already 
accomplished some good, and Bishop Wilson 
encouraged them to hope for more. With a 
view of countenancing and aiding this work, 
Co tayam, \\ here a col- 
lege had been established. A -ram of land 
had been made towards its Bupport by the 
Rajah, and an agreemenl entered into with 
the Syrian Metran, or Bishop, that all his 
candidates for the ministry Bhould enjoy its 
tits. The Church Missionary Society 
had contributed liberally for the establish- 
ment of that important institution, on the 
condition that while the Syrians should have 
the management of the land, the English 
missionaries should instruct the students. 

This arrangement, while very admirable in 
theory, was most difficult in practice, and 
what complicated the whole matter still 
more, was the character of the Syrian Bishop 
— who did not enjoy a high reputation for 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 197 

either morality or honesty. It, however, 
formed no part of Bishop Wilson's plan, to 
go beyond his own lawful authority, and it 
was rather as a visitor and an adviser that 
he had come to Cottyam. 

Making his headquarters with the English 
missionaries, he was waited upon by the 
Syrian Bishop and a number of the centaurs, 
or priests, and afterwards inspected their 
churches, attended their worship, and, by 
invitation, preached, with his accustomed 
simplicity and force. A special day was set 
apart for holding a serious conference with 
the Syrian Bishop, in regard to the affairs 
of his Church, a full account of which has 
been preserved.* The college difficulties, 
the importance of establishing more schools 
throughout the country, and the duty of ex- 
plaining the Gospel to the people — these, 
and other points, were freely discussed. 

On the day following, which was Sunday, 
Bishop Wilson preached. " I have wit- 
nessed," he writes, " the most affecting scene 
*> Bateraan's Life of Bishop Wilson, p. 431, etc. 

17* 



L98 LIFE OF BISHOP WD 

which I ever could have conceived — two 
thousand of the ancient Syrian Christians 
crowding to hear the \ I tospel 

in the principal church ( tayam — the 
M tropolitan and about forty priests and 

:i ser- 

•I in their usual manner, I 

froi i Re\ . iii. 7. 8, for 

an hour, the Rev. Mr. Baylej interpreting. 

I dwell on what ; ; aaith unto the 

Church of Philadelphia : first, ipecte 

I t, who addressi d the ( Church ; secondly, 

as it the < hurcb itself; thirdly, as 

to the promise made to it ( to this Last head 

•wed them that Christ had sel before 

them an open door by the protection and 

friendship of the English Church and people. 

In application, I called on each one present 

to kee '■ word, and not deny his name, 

as to their own salvation. 

" Never again shall I behold such a sight. 
How can I bless God enough for bringing 
me here at this critical time \ for under the 
present Metran all has been going back." 



fi|a|ter fifteatlj. 



HASTENING ONWAED TO COCHIN — INTEECOUESE WITH 

WHITE AND BLACK JEWS A WOED OF EXHOETATION 

WHICH WAS NOT VEET FAYOEABLT EECEIVED — CON- 
FIRMATION AT COCHIN — VISIT TO SEVEEAL SYEIAN 
CHUEOHES — GENEEA.L IMPEESSIONS CONCEENING THEIE 

SPIRITUAL STATE OLD GOA ST. FEAXCIS XAVIEE 

THE CITY OF CHUECHES MILITAEY STATION AT BEL- 
GAUM SIXTEEN DAYS SPENT IN BOMBAY PEEPAEA- 

TIONS FOE A LONG LAND JOUENEY. 

I ARLY on Monday morning, Novem- 
ber 23d, Bishop Wilson and bis 
company returned to their boats, 
and hastened onward to Cochin, 
where Mr. Risdale, the English 
missionary, gladly received him. 
Amongst those who called upon him were 
deputations from the White and Black Jews, 
soliciting him to visit their synagogues. He 
accepted the invitation, and after the usual 
worship, in the synagogue of the White 
Jews, he was requested to address some word 
of exhortation to the people. It was a 




200 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

strange position for a Christian Bishop, but 
he rose without hesitation, and spoke as 
follows : 

" Children of the God of Abraham, the 
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hearken : 

" We believe, as you do, in the God of 
Moses, David, [saiah, and Daniel. The 
prophet [saiah says, in one place. - A virgin 
shall conceive and bring forth a son,' and in 
another, ' !!>• -hall be despised and rejected 
of men.' The prophet Zechariah says, ' Thy 
King cometh unto thee, meek, and having 
salvation.' The prophet Daniel says, 'After 
three-score and two weeks, Messiah shall be 
cut off, but not for himself. 5 Now, we Chris- 
tians say that all these things have been ex- 
actly fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ ; that 
He has come ; that He has proved His 
mission by fulfilling prophecy, by working 
miracles, by a pure and holy life. Him, 
through ignorance, your fathers slew and 
hanged on a tree. You are still expecting a 
temporal Messiah, with external splendor 
and glory ; we say that the highest glory of 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 201 

our Lord is exhibited in His condescension 
and humility, in that, though He was rich, 
yet for our sakes He became poor, and 
humbled Himself even unto death for us men 
and for our salvation. We pray you to 
listen to these things. Seek for the Spirit 
of God who spake in times past unto the 
fathers by the prophets. Pray that your 
hearts may be opened to understand and 
believe the evidences of the Christian faith, 
and the Messiahship of the Son of God. 
There is salvation in none other, for there is 
none other name given under heaven amongst 
men whereby we can be saved." * * ■ * 

Eyes glanced fiercely and lips curled 
scornfully as he spoke these words; and 
whispers were interchanged, as if each one 
was confirming his neighbor in unbelief. 
But no outward manifestation of displeasure 
appeared ; and when the discourse was ended, 
prayer once more arose from the desk, and 
the " Bishop of Calcutta" (for the words 
were plainly distinguished) was apparently 
commended unto God. 



202 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

The congregation was dismissed, and hav- 
ing examined the parchment rolls of the law, 
the Bishop visited the synagogue of the 
Black Jews, and then retired to his quarters 
at Mr. Bisdale's house. On Tuesday, No- 
vember 14, he confirmed seventy-five young 
persons in the church at Cochin, and having 
devoted the next day to a visit to several of 
the Syrian churches in the northern part of 
Travancore, he once more returned to the 
brig and pursued his course. He thus re- 
cords his impressions concerning this part of 
his visitation : 

" I must pour out my heart, ere the im- 
pression is weakened, now that I have com- 
pleted my visit of ten days to the Syrian 
churches. And first, I owe humble praises 
to Almighty God that He has granted me to 
see the two spots I most eagerly desired, but 
never thought I should be allowed to visit — 
the southern scenes of Swartz's labors and 
the Syrian churches. I have also been per- 
mitted to visit them each in the most critical 
juncture, and have, I trust, been enabled in 



LIFE OF BISHOP "WILSON. 203 

each to lay the foundation of important ser- 
vice. I was yesterday well enough to write 
out my sermon on Rev. iii. 7, 8, which Mr. 
Bayley will immediately translate into Ma- 
layalim, and circulate, when printed, amongst 
the two hundred and fifty clergy, and one 
hundred thousand laity of the Syrian Church. 
The Resident will, moreover, immediately 
meet the senior missionary, and see the 
Metran, and put things in train to meet my 
wishes. God only knows what events may 
happen ; but never in my. life, 1 think, 
was I permitted to render a greater service 
than in these dear Syrian churches. But, 
hush, my soul! lest thou rob God of His 
glory. 

" Amongst the general remarks which oc- 
cur to me whilst reflecting on these churches, 
one is, that we have here an example of a 
native ministry in primitive simplicity, living 
for the most part in their churches, on about 
eight or ten rupees a month (or ten or twelve 
pounds a year), their dress white linen, their 
food rice, eggs, and milk. It was thus Am- 



204 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

brose and Basil and Austin lived, allowing 
for differences of climate. 

"Another remark is, that we have here 
the primitive use of synods and elections. 
The Metran himself is chosen by the clergy, 
two or three being set apart, and then lots 
drawn. The congregation, also, approves of 
the priesl before he is set over them; and 
the deacons are nominated in the first in- 
stance by lay persons. For all great mat- 
i, | piests, and chief laity meet in 
Bynods. 

" Another primitive custom ie, the number 
of priests and deacons who live at each 
church. There are generally six or seven; 
and as, from their poverty, they are fre- 
quently unmarried, they live upon the fees. 
This leads to abuse. 

" Another trait is, the high reverence of 
the people for the sacred office. They dis- 
tinguish between the bad character of the 
present Metran and his office. This rever- 
ence doubtless partakes of superstition. 

" It is a further peculiarity, that each Me- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 205 

tran or Metropolitan consecrates his successor 
early, and then dismisses him to the most 
distant part of his diocese, to live retired in 
one of the churches, without allowing him 
the power of ordination or the privilege of 
jurisdiction. This is to keep up the apostol- 
ical succession. 

" Once more. Ecclesiastical and civil suits 
are brought before the bishop, while criminal 
cases go before the ruling powers, according 
to St. Paul's directions to the Corinthians. 
This is, however, giving way in civil matters, 
but the ecclesiastical power is complete. 

"Again. This is now the only Church, so 
far as I know, that. professes to be governed 
by the decrees of the Council of Nice, and 
enforces on her priests, at ordination, obe- 
dience to its canons. 

" As to the ISTestorian and Jacobite errors, 
they seem to know nothing about them, 
though the liturgies now in use amongst 
them employ certainly the Jacobite terms." 

The Bishop's next halting-place was Goa — 
the only remnant of the Portuguese domin- 
18 



206 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

ions in India, and the head-quarters of Eo- 
manism. The Bombay Government had 
announced his coming, and requested that 
he might be received with becoming cour- 
tesy. This request was more than granted, 
and every kindness was shown him. Free 
IB was given to the many magnificent 
churches, and he visited the tomb of St. 
Francis Xavier on the high festival day set 
apart to his memory. The following page 
from the Bi&hop's journal is worth pre- 



"Old Goa, Convent of the Augustuses, ) 
Thursday, December Zd, 1835. ) 

" Here, in the very building where Dr. 
Buchanan, in 1808, wrote those touching 
memoranda about Goa, which filled England 
afterwards with indignation at the Inquisi- 
tion, I am sitting, with mixed feelings of 
admiration, grief, and joy. I see some effects 
of that eminent man's labors. A few years 
after he wrote, the Inquisition, by the inter- 
ference of England, was abolished; and in 
1830 the entire building was levelled with 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 207 

the ground. I have been walking over the 
ruins, and it was with difficulty I was pulled 
up the mounds of overgrown fragments. I 
looked round on the vast masses with wonder 
at the mysteries of Providence in the over- 
throw of this monstrous usurpation. The 
dungeons were inaccessible, and, indeed, the 
long, lank, wild herbage springing up all 
about, rendered the separate divisions of the 
building indistinct. It seems to have been a 
quadrangle, with an interior court and clois- 
ters. It adjoined the cathedral and archi- 
episcopal palace, and is an emblem now, as I 
hope, of the fall of the kindred establish- 
ments of an apostate church in Europe. 

" This was, as Dr. Buchanan well expresses 
it, the City of Churches. In 1590 there 
were one hundred and fifty thousand Chris- 
tians in communion with the Church of 
Borne. Now the number of communicants 
in the cathedral and different parish churches 
is about two hundred. As the power of 
Portugal sank before the Dutch in 1660, and 
was at length annihilated by the British su- 



208 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

premacj, Goa gradually lost its influence. 
It then became, and was discovered to be, 
unhealthy. Thus it was deserted, and so 
remains. 

"I have been breakfastiDg in the cloisters, 
on provisions brought by Archdeacon Carr, 
of Bombay, who has joined us, and Captain 
Le Mesurer, who is appointed to command 
our escort. On cither side I had a monk; 
'«iic held oiftce in the convent, and spoke a 
little French. I told him how I admired St. 
Austin, and had read only a lew day.-, since 
an abridgment of his ' Confessions.' I said, 
1 We Protestants believe in Jesus Christ as 
St. Austin did, though you think we are 
atheists. No; we know we are Binners, and 
we humbly trust in the merits and death of 
the Son of God.' ' Je ne suis pas Jesuite, 
moi; mais je suis Jesus. Xon sum Jesuita; 
sed ego sequor Jesum.' They assented." 

On the 5th of December the Bishop left 
Goa (having returned his best acknowledg- 
ments for the kindness which had been ex- 
tended to him), and paid a hasty visit to 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 209 

the military station at Belgaum, where he 
preached on the next clay to a thousand Eu- 
ropean troops, and on Monday confirmed and 
administered the Holy Communion. Five 
days more brought him to Bombay. Land- 
ing early on Sunday morning, he rode at 
once to St. Thomas' church, and having 
preached to a large congregation, he was 
invited to make his home with his old friend, 
Sir Robert Grant, the Governor, Sixteen 
days were spent in Bombay, where all things 
were found at peace. The usual sermons, 
confirmations, school examinations, and com- 
mittee meetings took place. 

On the 23d of December the Bishop deliv- 
ered a charge to the clergy, and then began 
his preparations for a long journey through 
the upper provinces of India. It was of 
great importance to reach the Himalaya 
Mountains, and obtain shelter there before 
the hot weather set in ; and this involved a 
succession of one hundred marches, and a 
distance of fifteen hundred miles, through 
countries in many parts unsettled, and by no 
18* 



210 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

means safe. From the commissariat stores 
of the government, elephants, camels, hack- 
eries or country carts, and tents, with their 
attendants, were furnished willingly ; but 
each one of the party had to provide for 
himself servants, bearers, palanquins, horses, 
and all the many contrivances essential to 
comfort, and indeed to health, upon a long 
hmd journey in India, The camp was gra- 
dually tunned and Bent forward, and soon 
af erwards the Bishop took leave of his kind 
friends at Bombay, and set out on his toil- 
some way. 




tffeagtor 3Mtm% 



POONAH AND KIRKEE NEW YEAR S BLESSING — READY 

FOE MAECHING HOESE AND EOOT THE SEPOY GUARD 

OEDER OF PROCEEDINGS — TEMPEEANCE LECTURE 

ENTERS THE TERRITORIES OF THE NIZAM A NICE 

CHURCH, BUT ONE SELDOM USED THE EFFECTS OF 

PLAIN PEEACHING, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES 

LAY-READING RECOMMENDED THE BISHOP OF MADRAS 

SENDS A WARNING WHICH IS UNHEEDED BRAYING 

DANGERS STANDING UP FOR THE OEDER OF THE 

CHURCH. 




) HE last day of the old year and the 
first day of the new were passed by 
Bishop Wilson at the great military 
stations of Poonah and Kirkee. 

He thus records his reflections 
there : 

" Poonah, December 31, 1835. 

" We arrived at this ancient sear of the 
Mahratta Empire at live o'clock this morn- 
ing. It is an immense cantonment. It has 
been fearfully cold. At eight o'clock yester- 
day morning, the thermometer was 51°. The 
fine old Mahratta commander of the thirty 



212 LIFE OF BISHOP WTL80HT. 

men who form my escort, and ride 
,M\ beside my palanquin, was a cele- 
i officer under he Peiswah'e govern- 
ment, and fought most fiercely against the 
1 .■ _ lish only - ighteen years since. The 
i ndous cha these Mahrattas re- 

mains, tii are Bubdued. My com- 

mand* to be introduced to me this 

morning, bedizened with gold. Ee had a 
countenance, eyes fierce and 
prominent, mustaches black as jet, Bword 
bed by h T lie Poonah, with 

as one of the of the 

ms of the I >uke of Wellington 
in 1 303. E en al ; resent, no Mahratta is al- 
i I imbay without special lic< 

•• January 1, 1836. 

" A bappy, happy uew year to my dearest 
family. A bishop's and a father's blessing 
rest upon you all. Be encouraged in the 
good ways of the Lord. Let us grow in 
grace, and in the knowledge (which includes, 
in inspired language, faitli and love) of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let deep, 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 213 

unaffected, heartfelt humility before God, 
silence, dread of human applause, a willing- 
ness to be unknown, a sole reference to the 
approbation of God the great final Judge, an 
independence of the frown or flattery of the 
religious world, be our constant aim. May 
all this increase in us this new year, im- 
mensely difficult as each part of it is." 

On new year's day the Bishop preached 
to five hundred soldiers at Kirkee, and on the 
day following in the handsome church at 
Poonah. A Confirmation closed his services 
. at these important stations. By the 4th of 
January all things were in readiness for the 
march to Simlah, and the Bishop, accom- 
panied by Archdeacon Carr, his chaplain, 
captain, and doctor, began his patriarchal 
life. Two hundred and seventy persons 
went with him, and formed a motley group 
of all ranks and callings. First came the 
soldiers, horse and foot, the former as a 
guard of honor, but still calculated to ren- 
der good service ; the latter as a defence in 
a district full of thieves. 



214: LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

The commander of the horsemen has been 
already described. The men were in strict 
accord with him — wild and undisciplined 
Mahrattas, full of lire and pride. They 
received British pay, hut each wore his own 
. provided his own horse, and chose his 
own weapons. The dress was fanciful, and 
composed of mingled colors of red, yellow, 
blue, and white, with a small turban set 
jauntily upon the head ; the horse was 
active, hut full of rice, and incapable of long 
continued service : the weapons consisted of 
a long gun, a spear, several swords, and 
pis; oh ad libitum. These troopers served to 
carry i j and procure guides. 

The Sepoys, on the other hand, guarded 
the camp at night. Without such precau- 
tion in this part of India, few could escape 
being pillaged. A naked man, with hair 
shaved close, and skin dark as the night, 
would glide beneath the cords, cut an open- 
ing in the canvass, and strip the tent. All 
would be conveyed away so silently and 
imperceptibly, that the inmates, however 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 215 

numerous, would be unconscious of the 
wrong till the morning light revealed it. 
Nay, instances were common of the very 
sheets of the bed being taken from under the 
sleeper. A tickling feather sufficed, without 
awaking, to cause a restless movement, and 
this admitted of a pull. Then came a pause ; 
after which the process is repeated again 
and again, till the object was attained. And 
if from any sudden cause the sleeper awaken- 
ed, and discovering, attempted to seize the 
thief, a greased body, and a sharp dagger 
fixed outside the elbow, insured escape. A 
party who came across the Bishop's route 
afforded an illustration of all this. They 
asked to be allowed to pitch their tents close 
to his guard of soldiers, for the better secu- 
rity. They were willingly allowed to do so, 
butf in the morning there came a message to 
beg for clothes, since husband, wife, child, 
and nurse had been robbed of almost all. 

But besides the troops thus needed for 
honor and for safety, each individual of the 
Bishop's party was provided with a full set 



216 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

of bearers (for no relay? were to be met with 
in these parte) for carrying the palanquin, 
and running into stations for the Sundays ; 
whilst each hackery, elephant, camel, bul- 
lock, and pony had one or more attendants, 
with wives and families accompanying them. 
Soon all things fell into order. Each person 
in the encampment found his proper place, 
and moved on, day by day, without friction. 

Kmg before dawn the summons to arise 
and depart was heard; and if the sleeper 
I ted, the tapping of his tent-pegs and 

the canvass covering presaged 
a catastrophe. A cup of coffee was ready at 
his call; his horse stood at the tent-door; 
one after another joined [he single file, fol- 
lowing the troopers and the guide, and keep- 
ing close together, lest from the high jungle 
on either side a tiger should make his spring. 
Five or six miles were thus slowly passed ; 
and when the sun arose, the Bishop finished 
the march of ten or twelve miles in his 
palanquin, and the others on the gallop. 

Arrived at the new encampment, a second 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 217 

set of tents, fac-similes of those just left, stood 
pitched in the same external order as on the 
day before ; whilst the proper occupant, on 
entering, found his table, chair, book, writ- 
ing-case, and pencil arranged precisely as 
when sleep had closed his eyes on the pre- 
vious night. All remained the same, but in 
another scene, and under another sky. Some 
hours after, the elephants, camels, and carts 
came up, bringing the tents and baggage. 
Then daily food was sought, followed by the 
morning's quiet, the mid- day meal, the even- 
ing stroll. 

In this style the Bishop made his visitation 
through this part of India. Divine service 
and a Confirmation were held at the station 
called Ahmednuggur, where the breach is 
still seen which Wellington's great guns 
made in its strong walls, He also delivered 
a powerful appeal in behalf of temperance, 
as the evils of hard-drinking had been seri- 
ously felt. 

The Bishop now entered the territories of 

the Nizam, and was escorted to the famous 
19 



218 1. 1 jr. OF BIBHOP w 1 1 

town called A.urungabad, not far off from 
which was the encampment of English 
troops. Although the number of Earopeai - 
did nol exceed thirty, there was a Deal 
church and burial-gronnd — but, alas! no 
chaplain, aor any attempt at religious wor- 
ship. Besides preaching and administering 
pper, the Bishop baptized a 
number of native children, whose parents 
• this blessing for them. 

To show the effect of plain preaching upon 
the minds of those who bad long lived in the 
neglect of Christian duties, it is Baid thai 
some were quite alarmed at hearing idolatry 
denoui the Nizam should be offended 

at it. The old Colonel commandant had n<» 
such fears, bul not having attended Bervice 
before for twenty years, be made np his mind 
that the Bermon was all meant for him, and 
was bo enraged that he would not even say 
good-bye to the Bishop. 

Another officer in authority, hut of a dif- 
ferent cast of mind, expressed the utmost 
astonishment. " I came out," he said, " as a 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOK. 219 

boy of fifteen. I have been many years in 
India, and have been tossed hither and 
thither. I have been stationed here some 
years, and have not heard a sermon preached. 
I never heard such words delivered with 
such power. I had no idea in my mind of 
such manly eloquence. I cannot express my 
feelings." 

Before leaving Aurungabad, the Bishop 
exhorted the residents to assemble every 
Sunday, and let one of their number read 
the Church service and a printed sermon, 
until some better arrangement could be 
made. 

When the Presidency of Bombay was 
changed for that of Bengal, Archdeacon 
Carr returned, and another captain took 
charge of the escort. Here the Bishop re- 
ceived a letter, to which he thus refers : 

"The Bishop of Madras has sent me an 
earnest entreaty to return to Calcutta by sea 
from Bombay, and not venture the journey 
to Delhi and the hills. But by this I lose 
all the advantage of the last three months. 



220 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

I turn back upon my steps before any ade- 
quate cause appears. I leave the Upper 
Provinces to be visited some other time with 
increased risk and inconvenience. All here, 
however, with whom I consult, so fully agree, 
that I am quite at ease in fvro conscie?itice, 
and have resolved to go on, whatever Provi- 
dence may appoint for me. I am with 
God." 

Braving the dangers of an unsettled coun- 
try and of deadly disease, the apostolic man 
pushed onward, only halting for rest, and for 
the performance of his sacred duties at the 
stations which he passed. We need not fol- 
low him, step by step. Everywhere he en- 
deavored to raise the tone of morality and 
religion, and to preserve the orderly arrange- 
ments of the Church. At a distant station, 
where he found the chaplain about to read 
prayers for a Presbyterian minister, who had 
announced his arrival and expressed a will- 
ingness to preach, the Bishop put a stop to 
the irregular proceedings. It was not, in 
this case, the result of an advanced liberality, 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 221 

but sprang from ignorance on the part of the 
chaplain, and an inability to say " No." 
This was not an isolated instance ; and the 
recurrence of it was checked by a general 
circular to the clergy. 

19* 



6fytyter S^tntot^ 



JTEPOOE — JOUENEY TO DELHI — MOSQUES AND PALACES 
HOLY WEEK AT MEEBUT — FOUE THOUSAND CHRIS- 
TIANS — A WELL-SPENT WEEK — CONFIRMATION — VISIT- 
ING THE SICK — SUDDEN ILLNESS — HIMALAYA MOUNT- 
AINS — MUSSOOEEE — BUILDING A CHUECH DEO GEATIAS 

PEEILOUS JOUENEY AEEIYAL AT SIMLAH — FOUE 

MONTHS' COMPAEATIYE BEST PEEPAEING A YOLUME 

OF SEEMONS FOE THE PEESS. 

jAVINGr performed Divine service 
and preached several times at Jye- 
poor, Bishop Wilson reached Delhi 
on the 26th of March. "After a 
journey," he writes, "of eighty-nine 
days, of which fifty-one were, in 
part, spent at the different stations, and 
thirty-eight wholly in travelling, I came this 
morning within sight of the domes and min- 
arets of Delhi. The distant view very much 
resembled that of Oxford from the Banbury 
road. A near approach, however, dissipated 
the delusion, as it displayed the lofty city 
walls, in excellent repair, stretching as far as 




LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 223 

the eye could reach. We entered the fortifi- 
cations at about seven o'clock, after fifteen 
hours' dak ; and most imposing was the 
grandeur of the mosques, palaces, and man- 
sions of the ancient monarchy of the world. 
The red stone of which many of the build- 
ings are constructed is very beautiful. The 
wide streets, the ample bazaars, the shops, 
with every kind of elegant wares ; the pro- 
digious elephants, used for all purposes ; the 
numerous native carriages, with noble oxen ; 
the children bedizened with finery ; the vast 
elevation of the mosques, fountains, and 
caravanserais for travellers; the canals full 
of running water raised in the midst of the 
streets, all gave me an impression of the 
magnificence of a city which was once 
twenty miles square, and counted two mil- 
lions of inhabitants. May God bless the 
hundred and thirty Christians, out of the 
hundred and thirty thousand Hindoos and 
Mohammedans now constituting the popula- 
tion." 

As the Bishop proposed to make a longer 



224 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

halt at Delhi on his return, he only spent the 
Sunday before Easter there, at this time, and 
then push MEeerut, when' Holy Week 

was to be passed. Here, a noble church, 
capable of holding two thousand persons, 
had been consecrated by Bishop Heber, in 
1824. Several fine regiments of English sol- 
. large body of native troops, 
were Btationed at Bieerut, the number of 
Christians in the place being four thousand. 

Each day of Holy Week the church was 

opened for morning prayers, each day the 

>p expounded the Gospel with much 

. and each <lay more than two 

hundred persons assembled to receive the 
word at bis mouth. On Good Friday and 
Easter Day the whole body of the military 
thronged the spacious church. Such a sight 
called forth all the Bishop's powers. To ar- 
rive in time, he had far outstripped the 
camp, and his sermons were all left behind ; 
but he made fresh ones on each occasion, 
more suitable, perhaps, because written un- 
der present impressions. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON". 225 

Meerut was full of sickness and full of 
sad hearts, and deep sympathy had been 
aroused for one of the chaplains into whose 
house death had again and again entered. 
As three dear children were in quick succes- 
sion carried to their burial, the hearts of all 
were moved, and prepared to receive the 
word when the Bishop, on Easter Day, ad- 
dressed his crowded audience from 1 Thess. 
iv. 13, 14, and spoke of the " child of sorrow 
consoled by the fact, the benefits, and the 
prospects of the resurrection." It was hard 
to decide which was the more affecting sight 
— that witnessed when hundreds were melted 
into tears in the great congregation under the 
power of his appeals, or that when, the pub- 
lic service ended, he went, into the house of 
mourning, and read his sermon once again 
to the bereaved and weeping mother. 

The number presented for Confirmation 
on Easter Eve had been one hundred and 
twenty-two ; the number of communicants 
on Easter Day was one hundred and twenty. 
The evening services, though voluntary as it 



226 Ml-:: OB BISHOP WILSON. 

the attendance of the troops, and 
though the Bishop did not preach, were 
tended : and on Easter Monday 
and Tuesday the interest continued unabated, 
tnesday the Bishop preached in a 
pre :, ny chapel, built by the Begum 

Sumroo, and under the charge of a catechist 
lards. ( >m i h ie occasion, Beventy 
natives were baptized and confirmed. 
( >ii i Divine sen ice was celebrated 

on of the consecration of a ne^ 
burial ; and on Friday one hundred 

■. isiti d in hospital, ad- 
dressed t< uderly, and prayed for. The fine 
schools of the Dragoons and Buffs wen 
examined. 

( >n Saturday two hours were spent amongst 
the native Christians, and two hours more in 
id anxious conference with the 
chaplains, the mind of one having been long 
harassed with conscientious temples on vari- 
ous Church questions. 

On Sunday the Bishop preached twice, 
with his usual energy, but at length he was 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. < 227 

taken dangerously sick. Fortunately, a skil- 
ful physician was at hand, and he soon re- 
covered and pressed onward. On the 16th 
of April, 1836, he was at the foot of the 
Himalaya Mountains, the very day arranged 
for his arrival there, nine months before ; so 
wonderfully had a gracious Providence or- 
dered all his goings. 

His first stopping-place, in the ascent, was 
Mussooree, where was neither chaplain nor 
church. He preached at Landour, the sana- 
torium for sick soldiers, and announced to 
the crowded congregation that he intended 
to build a church for them, at the same time 
calling a public meeting to make the neces- 
sary arrangements. He thus speaks of the 
gratifying result : 

" Mussooree, Tuesday, April 26, 1836, 6.30 a.m. 

" Yery chilly morning ; thermometer 44 
degrees; driven in from my walk by the 
wintry cold. Yesterday also was cold, with 
a cloudy sky and rain. My poor torriiied 
frame, accustomed for four years to excessive 
heat, is shrivelled up with this English Janu- 



228 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

ary weather. But what a blessing such hills 
are! There were twelve new houses built 
last season 'April to October), and there will 
be more this. Nor are we without hopes of 
an English-like country church being built. 
I was Bitting, about eleven o'clock, with two 
or three gentlemen who had called, amongst 
whom was Captain lUair, just returned, 
along the hills from Simlah, when the two 
leading persons at Meerut, Hamilton and 
Hutchinson, came to talk with me aboul the 
church of which I gave notice on Sunday. 
We Boon warmed. Plans, Bites, archi 
means of Bupply were arranged in about 
two hours. 1 promised one thousand rupees 
from the < 'hurch-building Fund, two hundred 
rupees from the Christian Knowledge Soci- 
ety, and two hundred rup< If. Three 
gentlemen each subscribed two hundred and 
one hundred. We ordered our ponies and 
johnpons (commonly so called, but properly 
char-palkee — a four-legged chair, carried on 
two poles by two or more men, and usual on 
the hills) on the instant, to go and see the 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON". 229 

three or four places pronounced eligible for 
sites. The heavens were cloudy, and no sun 
to dread. We were on the grounds from two 
to four o'clock, and selected the best spot. 
Before night Mr. Bateman, my chaplain, had 
sketched an elevation for a church, fifty feet 
by twenty-five, to hold two hundred people ; 
and I had finished my letter to Mr. Whiting, 
the owner of the land. On Monday we hope 
to be ready for the public meeting. My 
church-building experience at home comes 
in, and enables me to speak with decision. 
Deo gratias. 

" May 4th. We shall have a church here 
presently. The beautiful plan was entirely 
approved by the committee here on Monday, 
as well as by a scientific officer at Saharun- 
pore, to whom it was submitted. The esti- 
mate is three thousand two hundred rupees ; 
and the subscriptions already raised amount 
to three thousand three hundred rupees. A 
little hesitation remains about the exact site, 
because the habitations ramble over a space 
of four or five miles ; but we have two in 
20 



230 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

view, and I hope, before we leave, on May 
16th, to lay the first Btone. 

"May l" h. God be thanked! I have 
jnst returned from measuring out the 
for our new church, to be called Christ 
Church, which Mr. Proby has given us out 
of hie own garden, about one hundred feet 
by Bixty. This will be the firsl church built 
in In< he pattern of an English par- 

ish church. It will stand on a mo in tain like 
Zion, k beautiful for '1 be tower is 

uare and thirty-five feet high ; 
the bodj of the church is fifty-five hy twenty- 
three. 

*• Monday, May 16th. On Saturday we 
laid the foundation-stone of Christ Church, 
Mussooree. The whole Christian population 
poured oul — 1 suppose four or five hundred 
persons. The scene on the gently sloping 
side of the hill was exquisite, and the entire 
ground around the circuit of the foundations 
was crowded. The Himalaya Mountains 
never witnessed such a sight I began with 
some prayers from the service for consecrat- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 231 

ing churches, slightly varied. Then my 
chaplain read Psalm lxxxvii. Mr. Proby 
read Haggai 1st, and the whole assembly 
sang the hundredth psalm. I made a short 
address. The senior civilian, Mr. Hutchin- 
son, next read the deed of gift. Colonel 
Young, political agent (the king, in fact, of 
the Dhoon), read a copy of the inscription. 
All was now ready, and I descended into the 
deep cavity in the mountain, and laid the 
stone in the name of the Father, the Son, 
and the Holy Ghost. The Lord's Prayer 
and Benediction closed the service. As we 
were departing, the band of the Ghoorka 
regiment struck up the national anthem, 
which, echoing and re-echoing amongst the 
mountains, was the finest thing I ever heard. 
Afterwards I entertained the committee at 
dinner. We sat down, twenty-one, in camp 
fashion, each one sending his own chair, 
knives, forks, plates, and spoons. God be 
magnified ! The whole celebration was 
unique. It will be the first church raised 
amidst the eternal snows of Upper India, 



232 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

and all planned, executed, and money raised 
in a single month. Nine months will fin- 
ish it." 

The journey between Mussooree and Sim- 
ian was full of hardships and perils, but it 
waa Bafely accomplished, and on the 3d of 
June, al an elevation of seven thousand two 
hundred feet above the level of the sea, the 
Bishop makes this record : 

" We arrived here this morning, after a 
march of four hours. Judge of my delight, 
when a packet of »ne letters and 

papers was placed en my table; and this in 
addition to forty-three senl out to me on the 
preceding day. But I am tuo much fatigued 
to enter on them. My spirits also are over- 
whelmed. The impression, on a first reading, 
is thankfulness to the God and Father of all 
grace for His goodness to the most unworthy 
of liis creatures. 

" Saturday, June 4th. A calm, delightful 
repose of eight hours, in our nice bungalow ; 
perfect quiet; no jabbering tongues of three 
or four hundred natives, at half-past two 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 233 

o'clock in the morning; no bugle sounding 
at four o'clock ; no exhausting march of 
three or four hours. When our camp from 
below has come up with my books, papers, 
and implements of business, I hope to 
sit down for four months' diligent work in 
this charming climate. But one hundred 
and fourteen letters rather overwhelm me. 
I have been at present only able to take 
them, like Hezekiah, and spread them before 
the Lord. I have twice done so — expanded 
them on my desk, turned them over, and 
prayed for each individual who has written 
them, especially for the sixty-six brethren 
assembled in Islington, who signed the letter 
of January 5th. 

"First Sunday after Trinity — June 5th. 
Blessed be this holy morn ! All calm, all 
inspiring peace and gratitude. I am sitting, 
at six o'clock in the morning, in my room, 
with its windows open all around, and the 
sun just making its way over the eastern 
hills. There is not a sound to interrupt the 
moments of communion with the Author 
20* 



234 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

and Preserver of my blessings. But some- 
thing more is wanting than external repose 
and opportunities — even Thy Grace, Mess- 
ed Saviour ! — or the soul cleaves to the dust 
still, nor rises ever towards Thyself. Quick- 
en Thou me according to Thy word! Three 
of our party are likely to be confined from 
church from over-fatigue upon the march, 
and sleeping for nine days in damp tents. 
Tlu-y have .-mart feverB. I owe my own ex- 
emption, under God, to the better tents pro- 
vided for me, and the less fatigue I underwent. 

" But I must b:eak off. I have no books, 
no robes, no sermons, and am waiting for 
their coming up before the time for service." 

The Bishop remained at Simlah four 
months, the quiet being most grateful to 
him after a period of con-tan t labor. 

There being- no clergyman at the station, 
he celebrated Divine service twice every Sun- 
day, assisted by his chaplain, his leisure hours 
during the week being occupied in preparing 
a volume of sermons for the press, to gratify 
the oft-repeated application of his friends. 



&|agto d&igfetefflfy. 



AGAIN ON THE MAECH — TBANSITION FEOM COOL TO HOT 

TAF^ES BOAT AT EOOPUE NO VAIN BOAST THE 

"WATCH-HOUSE OF LAHOEE JOUENEY TO KUENAUL 

FIEST OEDINATION OF A BEAHMIN CONVEET — EOMAN 

CATHOLIC PEIESTS SENT FOE IN HASTE AEEIVAL AT 

DELHI — COLONEL SKINNEe's NOBLE VOW — CONSECEA- 

TION OF ST. JAMES' CHTJEOH — LMPBESSIVE SCENE 

AGEA TEYING WHEEL-CAEEIAGES — CONDITION OF 

EOADS NEW TEAE AT BAEEILLY — SOWING IN TEAE8, 

AND EE APING IN JOT FITTYGHUE — CAWNPOEE — 

DIFFICULTIES SETTLED — EXTENSIVE CHAEITIES FUT- 

TEHPOEE PILGEIM-TAX ABOLITION OF AN EVIL 

PEACTICE DEATH OF BISHOP COEEIE PASSAGE TO 

CALCUTTA THANKSGIVING. 

N" the 10th of October, 1836, Bishop 
Wilson once more began his march. 
The change from the cool, bracing, 
'lf^ mountain air to the sultry climate of 
the plains was very great, but there 
was no alternative. Two days' travel 
brought him to Roopur, on the river Sutlej, 
where huge boats were in readiness to bear 
the party onward. 



236 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

While gliding down the stream, the Bishop 
was upon the deck, and, looking towards the 
territory of the Punjab, then scarcely known, 
exclaimed aloud, "I take possession of this 
land in the Dame of my Lord and Master, 
Jesus Christ." The prosperous condition of 
missions in that region now, Bhows that it 
was no vain boast. 

Landing at Lodianal (which was then the 
watch-house for Lahore, and the frontier sta- 
tion on the English side of the river), he 
found abou! one hundred Christians residing 
there, for whose benefit he at once made ar- 
r the erection of a church. 
The usual services were held, Confirmation 
and the Holy Communion administered, and 
a lay -reader appointed. 

Passing through Sirhind and Hajpoorah, 
the Bishop officiated at Umballah, and came 
next to Kurnaul, an important station, with 
a large church. Two Sundays were given to 
this place, a great impression being made by 
the services. More than a hundred soldiers 
were confirmed. An ordination was also 



LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 237 

held — Anund Musseeh, a Brahmin convert 
of fifteen years' standing, being admitted to 
deacon's orders. There seemed but one ob- 
jection to this — the fact that Anund Mus- 
seeh's wife remained a heathen, and, by the 
wise rule of the primitive Church, no candi- 
date could be admitted to the ministry unless 
his whole family had become Christians. 
Bishop Wilson hoped for the best. It was 
the first native he had ordained, and, indeed, 
the first Brahmin ever admitted to holy or- 
ders in the English Church. The new deacon 
was appointed to labor at Kurnaul, under 
the direction of the chaplain. Among the 
multitudes that had attended upon the Bish- 
op's ministrations was a number of Koman 
Catholics, who afterwards called to thank 
him for his sermons. Some of the more 
zealous had become so alarmed, that they 
sent in haste to Calcutta for a priest, " to 
stay the plague." 

The march was resumed on the 14th of 
November, and four days afterwards the 
company reached Delhi. Here the Bishop 



238 LIFE OF BISIIOP WILSON. 

was to consecrate a church, which had been 
built at the sole expense of Colonel Skinner 
— quite a celebrity in hie way. Brought up 
in the camp from bis earliest years, he had 
seen much bard Bervice, and on entering 
Delhi, with a conquering army, he made a 
vow, while gazing on its countless domes 
and minarets, thai it' he ever possessed the 
means, be would there erect a temple to the 
only true God. Twenty years passed by, but 
be did QOt forget his vow; and when the 
government offered to aid him in his work, 
be nobly insisted on doing it all himself. 
And now he Btood before the Bishop, a tall, 
stout, dark man of fifty-six, clad in a military 
dress of blue, silver, and steel, with a heavy 
helmet on his head, a broadsword at his side, 
and a red ribbon on his breast — to say that 
the church was finished, and to beg that it 
might be consecrated. His sons were Chris- 
tians, as he was, but his wife remained a 
Mohammedan, though, as he said with tears, 
" a better wife, for more than thirty years, no 
man ever had." 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 239 

The Bishop instantly drove with him down 
to the church. It was a beautiful Grecian 
building, in the form of a cross, with hand- 
some porticoes at each extremity, three of 
them forming entrances with flights of steps, 
the fourth closed in and appropriated for 
the chancel. The body of the building was 
circular, and surmounted by an ornamented 
dome, cupola, and cross. The flooring was 
marble, and a temporary desk and pulpit 
served for the present occasion. The whole 
effect was very chaste and beautiful. The 
Bishop was delighted, and, mindful of the 
founder, called it St. James, and fixed No- 
vember 22d for the consecration. 

On that day a large congregation assem- 
bled, and a very striking and impressive 
sermon, going a good deal into detail, was 
preached. 

After the consecration, the whole European 
society of Delhi met at Colonel Skinner's 
hospitable abode, and expressed their deep 
gratitude to him. They also requested the 
publication of the Bishop's sermon as com- 



240 LIFE OP BISHOP WILSON. 

memorative of the day. A most kindly feel- 
ing pervaded ^vcvy mind. 

A Confirmation followed, and the Colonel, 
with his three sons, knelt at the altar to 
dedicate himself, as lie had previously dedi- 
cated hie church, to the Bervice of < 1-od. The 
was very impressive, and the Bishop's 
address moved all to tears. At the con- 
clusion, the Colonel himself attempted to 
; ^ acknowledgments, bill words 
failed, and lie wept silently, whilst the 
>p prayed that the kindness shown to 
the house of his God might be returned 
sevenfold into his own bosom. 

After a visit of ceremony to the old King 
of Delhi, and the transaction of much im- 
portant business, the Bishop proceeded to 
Agra, where Sir Charles Metcalfe was now 
the permanent Governor. Three weeks were 
spent here — a church consecrated, a soldiers' 
chapel licensed, frequent services held, and 
much good accomplished. 

By this time the Bishop had become very 
weary of the monotony of camp life, and the 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 241 

disturbed nights in his palanquin, and on 
leaving Agra he resorted to wheeled car- 
riages and relays of horses, by which he out- 
stripped the slower movements of his large 
company. The roads were dreadful, and 
Bishop Heber, who had passed over the 
same route, compares them to a farm-yard 
first trodden into deep holes, and then frozen 
hard ; and says, that " though a buggy can 
go over them, since it can go anywhere, yet 
they were never meant for buggies nor bug- 
gies for them." 

Stopping for service at Allyghur, he trav- 
ersed eighty miles more, and came to Ba- 
reilly, where the year 1837 dawned upon 
him. The attempt to build a church at this 
place was violently opposed by the officer in 
command, who insisted that the Government 
ought to do all this, and he argued the ques- 
tion at his own table, in the presence of his 
invited guests. The Bishop was taken so 
completely by surprise, that he burst into 
tears and attempted no reply. God took 
care of His own cause, and the party had no 
21 



242 LIFE OF BISHOP WI! a 

:■ left the dining-room than a subscrip- 
tion was opened, and a handsome sum put 
down. Chrisl Church, Bareilly, was, in due 
time, erected. 

Another rapid journey of forty-eight miles, 
through Furreedpore and Futtehgunge to 
Jellalabad, on January 5th, followed by 
another of equal distance, varied by a pas- 

across the mighty I • d January 

6th, brought the Bishop safely to Puttyghur, 
where he found an excellent chaplain, a good 
church, and all things in order. Much 
pleasant intercourse took place here with 
ds, who were gradually passing down 
the country from Simlah ; the -vine- of mis- 
sionary uork were watched and encouraged ; 
the church and burial-grounds were conse- 
crated ; Divine services were performed ; the 
Holy Sacrament and Confirmation admin- 
istered ; and then the Bishop rejoined the 
camp for a few days' quiet march. The 
sportsmen went out and provided the table 
with wild geese, as on the other side of India 
it had been furnished with peacocks. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 243 

On January 14th the Bishop entered the 
large station of Cawnpore, and rested in the 
chaplain's house. He seemed himself to be 
no worse for the efforts he had made, but all 
his company suffered greatly, and over some 
of them the shadow of death for a time had 
passed. It requires a certain knowledge of 
India to understand the effect of these forced 
marches, hurried journeys y and constant ex- 
posure. 

Cawnpore covered an extent of seven miles, 
and contained three thousand Christian inhab- 
itants, although it had no church building. 
The state of society was by no means favor- 
able to true religion, and unpleasant dis- 
agreements had taken place between the 
commanding officer and one of the two resi- 
dent chaplains. We can not go into details, 
and can only speak of results. The Bishop 
went to the bottom of the difficulties and 
decided the several disturbing questions with 
his usual promptness. Before his visit was 
ended, he had preached several times, con- 
firmed, visited schools and hospitals, con- 



244 LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Becrated four burial-grounds, held an ordina- 
tion, and laid the corner-stones of two 
churches — towards the erection of which he 
gave two thousand rupees out of his own 
purse. His charities were scattered broad- 
cafit over India, and he delighted in nothing 
more than in helping forward God's great 
work in that heathen land. 

Leaving Oawnpore on the 6th of February, 
he officiated on Ash-Wednesday at Futteh- 
poor, and on tin.' Llth Inst, was welcomed at 
Allahabad, by the Rev. Henry Pratt, the 
chaplain. The grand annual fair was about 
to close, and immense crowds of pilgrims 
were paying their tax of one rupee each. 
The Bishop stood for a long time in the 
6trongly barricaded office, where, by a Chris- 
tian hand, this tax was taken and a corre- 
sponding ticket issued, admitting the bearer 
to the margin of the sacred stream. Upon 
the production of the ticket another Chris- 
tian hand stamped a red signet on the de- 
votee's right arm, which authorized him to 
bathe, and realize its supposed beatitudes. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON, 245 

The Bishop looked upon the frenzied mul- 
titude, the hideous assemblage of idols, the 
town of straw huts raised on the river 
banks, the count-less flags indicating Brah- 
minical establishments, and the pilgrim, now 
shaved, bathed, marked, and penniless, retir- 
ing from the scene with a little vessel of the 
sacred water to be carried home — if, indeed, 
he ever reached his home. 

In the contemplation of all this, he says 
that " he was never so affected since, two 
years before, he had stood at Juggernaut." 

He soon, however, roused himself to effort, 
He first sought out the despatch of the Home 
Government in February, 1833, absolutely 
prohibiting the collection of the tax. He 
then obtained one of the tickets which was 
really issued, and is still preserved, num- 
bered 76,902, and bearing a stamp and an 
inscription in Sanscrit, Persian, and English, 
for the admission of one Jattree, or pilgrim, 
to the stream. He gathered up all the 
statistics also, casting the balance between 
profits and loss, and inquiring from the best 
21* 



246 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

authorities the probable expenditure of hu- 
man life. And upon all this, as a founda- 
tion, he raised the superstructure of a strong 
personal appeal to the Governor-General. 

He wrote, moreover, to the JSociety for 
Promoting Christian Knowledge ; and his 
strung statements obtained immediate pub- 
licity, and the widest circulation in England 
and India. Private letters were also written 
to Fowell Buxton, the Rev. F. Cunning- 
ham, and other influential and philanthropic 
friends ; and thus he did his part to overthrow 
the evil which had been so long and so ably 
denounced by others. How far his repre- 
sentations may have been effectual in India 
does not appear. But before the year was 
ended, the tax was abolished. 

The station at Allahabad was very hand- 
some, the situation agreeable, the class of 
residents superior. A church was rising 
effectually, though amidst some strife and 
dissension. A long stay was not required. 
The usual services were rendered on the one 
hand and fully appreciated on the other ; 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 24:7 

and then the Bishop took his passage in the 
steamer, and dropped down the river on his 
way to Calcutta. Two clays afterwards he 
heard of the death of Bishop Corrie, of 
Madras. 

" How can I describe my feelings ?' ? he 
says. "I have this morning heard of the 
sickness and death of my honored and be- 
loved brother, Bishop Corrie. Oh, what will 
become of India! Here I am again left 
alone, with three dioceses on my single hands. 
Dearest, dear Corrie ! Only one year and a 
quarter in his diocese! It was on the 5th 
of February that the lamented event took 
place. Blessed man ! he has entered into 
rest. Never was there a more exalted, meek, 
consistent Christian. No one — not even 
Bishop Heher — has filled a more important 
station in the general propagation of the 
Gospel in India. All Hindoostan loved him. 
He inspired universal confidence. There 
was a gentleness of character, a quietness of 
spirit, and a boldness in the profession of 
Christ, which are rarely combined. Well, it 



24:8 LITE OF BTSHOP WILSON. 

i.> clio Lord. His ways are in the deep, and 
His judgments past rinding out. He can 
raise up instruments at His pleasure. May 
he be graciously present with his widowed 
Church." 

Mirzapoor and Chunar, the scene of Bishop 
Oorrie's earlier labors, were next visited. 
Four days wen- given to the wonders of 
Benares and the interesting labors of the 
Church missionaries. 

Ghazeepore, Buxar, Dinapore, Monghir, 
Bhaugulpore, and Rampore Beauleah were 
successively touched at. "Of all these 
Bcenes," the Bishop says, "Heber's descrip- 
tion is perfect and most lively. He was 
then new to them. They met him early. 
We come to them with minds ,-atiated with 
sights, and bodies exhausted with heat." 

On the 13th of March the Bishop reached 
home, having spent two years and a half in 
his visitation. " I cannot enter upon any 
one duty, this first morning after my arrival 
in Calcutta," he writes, "without humbly 
offering my praises to the great Giver of all 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 249 

good for the preservation vouchsafed to His 
unworthy servant. Thirteen thousand ^.ve 
hundred miles have been traversed, and the 
whole diocese of India visited, though not in 
all parts ; and now I return in safety and, I 
can thankfully add, in perfect health. I feel, 
in truth, far better this morning than when 
last I left Calcutta. Oh, for internal, spirit- 
ual, ecclesiastical, domestic, personal peace 
in Christ Jesus, amidst the changes and 
trials which I must, and do, and ought to 
expect." 



fitfeapttr Ptuftcnti). 



HOME WORK ONCE MORE — FUNERAL SERMON FOR BISHOP 
CORRIE A FEW WEEKS WE I.I. FILLED UP — 8IIORT MIS- 
SIONARY TOUB- OHY OF KRISHNA — THE FAITHFUL 
WETTBREOHT — BORIPTURAL NAMES — AN ELEPHANT 

TEACHING A LESSON OF PATIENOE LOSS OF FRIENDS 

— THE BEGINNING OF 1838 — PREDICTION CONCERNING 
THE "OXFORD SCHOOL" OF THEOLOGY — SERMON BY A 
BRAHMIN CONVERT — IGNOBANOE OF DECORUM — RE- 
FLEOTION8 <>N EASTEB DAY — ENTERING UPON HIS 
SIXTY-FIRST YEAR. 

fOMK work began once more. The 
usual Lent services were going on 
at Calcutta, and Bishop Wilson 
f availed himself of one of these oc- 
casions to deliver a funeral sermon 
for good Bishop Corrie. " All India 
mourns," was its opening sentence. "We 
have lost one of the gentlest, meekest, most 
exalted Christians that our Church has ever 
known. We have been deprived, for the 
fifth time, of a chief pastor of our flocks, 
after a brief, though most honorable and use- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 251 

ful Episcopate. We have lost him at the 
very instant when his presence was required 
for the solemn office of consecrating a brother 
Bishop, and thus settling for the first time 
our Anglican Apostolic Church in India, 
with her appointed pastors. 

An immense congregation filled the cathe- 
dral, to show their respect for departed worth. 

The Bishop delivered addresses in each of 
the city churches, confirmed five hundred 
young persons, and held an ordination, be- 
sides attending committee meetings of vari- 
ous Church societies, visiting schools, and 
performing other work. 

The summer proved to be extremely hot, 
and Calcutta was one huge vapor-bath ; but 
his labors did not stop. In July he made a 
short missionary tour, to visit a few points 
which had been passed over before. 

Interesting letters describe what was done 
at two of them. 

"Krishnaghu:r,180 miles from Calcutta, j 
July 24, 1837. J 

" "We arrived on Saturday at this bigoted ' 



252 LIFE OF BISHOP WTL80N. 

centre of Hindoo idolatry — the city of Krish- 
na. Two pious missionaries of the Church 
Missionary Society have made a little begin- 
ning. I have visited their schools, and 
examined the children in the Gospels, sur- 
rounded by hundreds of heathen spectators, 
full of curiosity. The children are not Chris- 
tians ; but they replied to my questions with 
a quickness and decision quite delightful, so 
that all the crowd heard the word of the 
Gospel. Besides the schools, the missionaries 
have small chapels, where they confer daily 
with the people and preach. Sometimes two 
or three hundred are collected. The 'lewd 
people of the baser sort' at times disturb, but 
none dare injure them. They have no adult 
converts as yet. We are doing all we can 
to encourage Christianity and help on this 
blessed cause." 

" Burdwau, August 6th, 1837. 

"There is a little church here, very neat 
and appropriate. Yesterday we spent four 
or five hours at the mission-house, which is 
about a mile from the town. I have exam- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 253 

ined a hundred and fifty native scholars from 
the villages around. Nothing could be more 
delightful. Indeed, what I have seen of Mr. 
and Mrs. Weitbrecht gives me the highest 
impression of their talents, character, exalted 
piety, excellent sense, and simplicity of heart. 
I am charmed and edified. 

" There is a little Christian village attached 
to the premises, of about eighty souls. I 
visited it. A neat row of cottages, raised a 
little from the earth, gardens for each family 
in front (Mr. Weitbrecht is gardener, archi- 
tect, and every thing), a fine tank before the 
gardens, three rooms in each cottage, a little 
nice furniture, beds, tables, chairs, and writ- 
ing-desk. A picture of Robert Hall adorned 
one of the walls. The men and women came 
out as we passed, and I asked, What is 
this child's name I Theophilus. And this ? 
Abraham. And this ? Sarah. What are 
your several occupations ? I am a carpenter. 
I am a tailor. I am a Hurkaru. 

"Thus the cleanliness, comfort, purity, 
diligence, and honest employments of En- 
22 



25± LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

glisli villages begin to appear. I do not, of 
course, speak too confidently ; but if life is 
spared, and, instead of six years. Mr. Weit- 
breeli! continues forty, there is nothing I 
should not hope. 1 confirmed nine baptized 
adults yesterday —all hopeful, and most of 
them decided Christians. 

"Tell my grandchildren that an elephant 
here had a disease in his eyes. For three 
days he had been completely blind. His 
r, an engineer officer, asked my dear 
Dr. Webb if he could do anything to relieve 
the poor animal. The doctor said he would 
try citrate of Bilver, which was a remedy 
commonly applied to similar diseases in the 
human eye. The huge animal was ordered 
to lie down ; and at first, on til'- application 
of the remedy, raised a most extraordinary 
roar at the acute pain which it occasioned. 
The effect, however, was wonderful. The 
eye was, in a manner, restored, and the 
animal could partially see. The next, day, 
when he was brought, and heard the doctor's 
voice, he lay down of himself, placed his 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 255 

enormous head on one side, curled up his 
trunk, drew in his breath — -just like a man 
about to endure an operation — gave a sigh 
of relief when it was over, and then, by trunk 
and gestures, evidently wished to express 
his gratitude. What sagacity ! What a 
lesson to us of patience !" 

Soon after his return from this tour, the 
Bishop lost two of his friends and associates, 
Dr. Mill, the Principal of the College, and 
his private chaplain, Mr. Bateman, both of 
whom were obliged to go to England for the 
benefit of their health. A third (Sir Benja- 
min Malkin), no less dearly loved, was 
stricken down by death. " I never had such 
a blow (he writes) in the loss of a friend. 
Thank God for his religious character ; his 
inward piety (which I doubt not far exceeded 
what his modest and silent carriage allowed 
him to speak of) ; his constant attendance, 
twice on the Sunday, at church ; his delight 
in religious conversation and family prayer. 
Yes, I doubt not he is now in the presence 
of his Redeemer, a glorified and happy 



256 ins 'of bishop wilson. 

spirit. But we are indeed left desolate. 

Calcutta is desolate ; his family and circle of 

friends are desolate : the many religious and 

...lent institutions he nourished, are 

leir purest, abl< 

\ aluable members. < >h, that 

I inav 'hear the rod, and who hath appoint- 

Mv daughter gone— my boo and 

chaplain goni Dr. Mill gone -my most 

intimate friend now gone ! Blessed Jesas ! be 

Thm Ai.i. to me— daughter, son, chaplain, 

advie Thou all-sufficient Saviour. 

s and infinite fulness for 

apply of those that trust in Thei 

red in Thy name — ■* I am Thai I am' — l>e 

Thou my r _ ." 

3 found the .Bishop 
at home, and rejoicing in some evidences 
that hi- efforts for India were beginning to 
bring forth fruit. 

The caste question was quiet, for a time 
at least, and seventeen missionaries were oc- 
cupying the field where he had found but 
two. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 257 

About this period, the Bishop examined 
the writings of Mr. Newman, and others of 
his school. Pie writes : " Newman's Pro- 
phetical Disquisitions are, as a whole, wrong 
— grossly, glaringly, dangerously, incon- 
sistently wrong. ' An enemy hath done this, 5 
may be written over the title of his volume. 
Was ever anything so impudent as the con- 
demnation he passes on Hooker, Jewell, and 
all the leaders of the Reformation, till he 
comes down to Laud ! ' My soul, come not 
thou into their secret ; unto their assembly, 
mine honor, be not thou united.' No ; if 
we cannot stand against the reproduction 
of these school subtleties, we are unworthy 
of the name of Protestants. If no one 
brother will unite with me, I am ready to 
protest alone against this egregious, drivel- 
ing Fatuity." 

A few gleanings from Bishop Wilson's 
journal will furnish the most interesting 
account of this period. 

" Shalimar. Epiphany, January 6th, 
1838. On Thursday evening I had the sin- 
22* 



258 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

gular delight of hearing Krishna Mohun 
Banerjea, my Brahmin convert, preach, for 
tin second time, in English, in the old 
chnrch. I. is an extraordinary thing, sorely, 
thai a Hindoo college Btudent, only fivi 

rescued from the gulf of infi- 
del i . tl Pantheism, Bhould not onlj 
have < a braced, but be able to expound and 
. in a wn competent manner, the. 
Christian religion. His amazing extenl of 
h knowledge, hie good style and 
»ment the surprise. 
Gk)d preserve him steady, humble, 
it. I tremble. 
" I lalcutta, Easter-Eve, April 14th. I 
haw- jusl had three officers of the licet with 
me, to beg me to patronize a play to be got 
up for the famine fund. ' No, gentlemen,' 
said I, ' that is impossible. You could not 
wish me to undo all I have been doing my 
whole life ;' and 1 bowed them out. What 
a profound ignorance, even of decorum ! 

" Easter-Day. April 15th. May we rise 
to greater newness of life with our triumph- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON, 259 

ant Lord ! This is my sixth Easter in India. 
Soon it will be said. 'His bishopric let 
another take.' Oh, to end well ! I am 
jealous over myself. (1) I would examine 
my heart. (2) I would search into my 
administration of this vast diocese. (3) I 
would suspect myself, especially on two 
points — where the natural selfishness of man 
blinds his judgment of his own actions — and 
as to spiritual affections, where decays of 
grace begin. Lord, raise me up- with Christ. 
" Calcutta, July 1st. I close to-day the 
sixtieth, and enter, please God, to-morrow, 
the sixty-first year of my age. My sermon 
at the cathedral is from Gen. xxxv. 1, 3. I 
am, as it were, about to go up with Jacob, 
and build an altar to the God that appeared 
to me in the day of my distress, and kept 
me in the way which I went. How import- 
ant are the denunciations of Scripture against 
the world, worldliness, secularity, the name 
to live when we are dead, leaving our first 
love, being neither cold nor hot, under the 
highest professions of knowledge and faith ! 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 



These are the dangers I feel, because they 
creep insensibly on the unconscious heart, 
and because public life now for forty years 
has been wearing away the gloss and bloom 
of internal piety, and rendering the revival 
of them more difficult. Simplicity oww 
gone, how hard to restore! In this view I 
look upon the trials sent me as memorials of 
mercy, warnings, voices, compensating dis- 
pensations, needful medicines for the soul, 
the chastisements of a heavenly Father." 



Cftajter ®toettti*t{[. 



ANOTHEB CHAEGE TO THE CLEEGT THE TEACTS FOE 

THE TEMES r — SETTING OUT ON A SECOND VISITATION 

BEMABKABLE ANSWEE TO PEATEE — A NEW FEIEND 

GEIEF FOE THE DEATH OF SIE BENJAMIN MALKIN— 

STATE OF CHURCH AFFAIES AT MALACCA GOD'S UN- 

SEAECHABLE JUDGMENTS — SINGAPOEE — A WHOLE COM- 
MUNITY w " COMING BOUND" CHITTAGONG SIE WILLIAM 

JONES AEEIVAL OF A NEW CHAPLAIN" THE BISHOP 

RESUMES HIS OLD COLLEGE DUTIES COUESE OF LENT 

LECTUEES PLANS FOE BUILDING A NEW CATHEDEAL 

"MY LOED, IT IS ALL YOUES" LAYING THE COE- 

NEE-STONE THE GEEAT WOEK BEGUN. 

N the 6th of July, 1838, Bishop Wil- 
son delivered a charge to the assem- 
JAyjA bled clergy in Calcutta. Besides 
giving a full account of his visita- 
tion, and the general condition of 
missions in India, the charge con- 
tained his solemn protest against all doctrines 
and practices tending to undo the work 
which cost Cranmer and his fellow-sufferers 
their lives. The Bishop embarked immedi- 
ately afterwards, with his good friend Cap- 



262 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

tain Clark, of the brig Hattrass, and set out 
on his second visitation. 

On the 26th of August he thus records 
God's merciful providence towards them : 

" I have been returning grateful thanks to 
our Redeemer for His answer to our prayers 
on Friday last. On that morning I com- 
mended our ship to the Divine mercy, en- 
treating favorable winds, and begging that 
the judgment of the captain might he guided 
what to do; for our stores were Tailing short, 
and i; seemed almo6l necessary to return 
upon our track, the wind was so directly and 
obstinately adverse. Not an hour had passed 
afterwards, when the wind changed, we ran 
by the island of Junk Ceylon, and, instead 
of putting back, we have been going on 
steadily for two days. Surely a more re- 
markable, and, as it were, tangible answer 
to prayer has seldom occurred to me in the 
whole course of my life. Accordingly I 
have composed and delivered a sermon to- 
day on Ps. cxvi. 1, 2, subject, 'Affectionate 
gratitude to God the duty of those who have 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 263 

been delivered in answer to prayer.' The 
divisions were — First : A state of distress 
supposed. Second : Deliverance in answer 
to prayer commemorated. Third : Resolu- 
tions of grateful love. Application : The 
happiness of religion, which works chiefly 
by gratitude to God, the fountain of good. 
The misery of sin, which consists of ingrati- 
tude and neglect of God, the only source of 

joy." 

Having followed the Bishop so closely in 
his first visitation, it will be needless for us 
to do this now. We shall only refer to the 
most interesting incidents. At Penang, he 
found in the new Recorder, Sir William 
Norris, an excellent friend ; but the loss of 
Sir Benjamin Malkin weighed heavily upon 
his spirits. The Hattrass carried down to 
the island the first news of his death, and the 
grief was universal. In the charge recently 
delivered in Calcutta, the Bishop bad publicly 
borne testimony to his worth ; and he at- 
tempted to read the extract when addressing 
the congregation on the first Sunday morn- 



264- LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

ing. But the whole audience were in tears, 
and his own feelings were so overpowered 
that he was obliged to call the Archdeacon 
up into the pulpit to finish the quotation. 

At Malacca he found the Dutch church, 
which had been" resigned to him, fitted up 
with all suitable conveniences. A reading- 
desk was provided, the pulpit was removed, 
the communion-table inclosed, a vestry built, 
and new pewe erected, so as to increase the 
accommodation. Porch and belfry were also 
added, and every thing prepared for him. 

Moreover, another of the missionaries con- 
nected with the Chinese College and the 
London M -^ty, a Mr. Evan-, 

applied to him for admission into holy orders. 
The <h - is was postponed, as it 

had been in the case of Mr. Hughes, till the 
Society had been communicated with, and 
had bidden him " God-speed." From that 
quarter there was no difficulty. But it is sad 
to record that, when all hinderances were 
removed, and the way made plain for the 
reception of these two excellent men, and 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 265 

the fulfilment of their conscientious desires, 
they both died of cholera within a very short 
period of each other. The Eishop refers to 
this melancholy bereavement on January 9th, 
1841: 

" Conceive my distress at receiving a letter 
from the Governor of Singapore, dated De- 
cember 7th, conveying the melancholy ac- 
count of the death of both Mr. Hughes and 
Mr. Evans by cholera — the first on November 
25th, the second, after interring his friend, 
on November 28th. No particulars. Each 
seems to have been seized unexpectedly, and 
to have died within four hours. Oh, my 
Saviour! how unsearchable are Thy judg- 
ments ! Two of the best men in India cut 
off in the prime of life and health, and just 
at the moment when plans of usefulness were 
opening before them. Never since I have 
been in India has the Church suffered a 
greater loss. Eor themselves the change 
was blessed, but for survivors, alas ! the blow 
is most severe. Still it is the Lord ; let Him 
do what seemeth Him good." 
23 



266 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

At Singapore, he found the church which 
had cost him so much care and pains on his 
former visit, completed and ready for conse- 
cration. But it was claimed by a portion of 
the subscribers, who were not members of 
the Church of England, as their own prop- 
erty ; and a protest against its consecration 
obtained sixteen signatures, and was pre- 
sented to him. lie never had a harder task 
than to arrange this matter of common hon- 
esty. Bui he dealt very gently with it. 
The Governor was firm, and the result good. 
A public meeting was held to consider the 
matter, at which the whole cr.se was so 
clearly explained, that the protest was with- 
drawn, and the petition for consecration 
signed by fifty-one persons. All were con- 
ciliated. One opponent offered to collect 
money for an organ ; a second undertook to 
raise a tower ; the Archdeacon gave a bell ; 
the Resident, a clock. " I never saw a whole 
community come round so well," says the 
Bishop. " To God be the praise !" 

Chittagong was now visited. This was a 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 267 

new station to the Bishop, and the fallow 
ground had to be broken up. Situated on 
the coast of Arracan, the novelty of every 
thing and the exquisite beauty of the scenery 
charmed him. But there was no church, 
no Divine service, no Sunday observance, no 
charitable institutions, no exhibition of Chris- 
tianity. An occasional visit of the chaplain 
from Dacca afforded the only means of 
grace. 

Plane were at once set on foot to remedy 
all this. A public meeting was called, and 
it was determined to erect a church. Sixteen 
hundred rupees were contributed on the spot. 
Tiie Bishop gave five hundred for himself, 
and five hundred from the Christian Knowl- 
edge Society. An application to government 
and a grant from the Church-building Fund 
completed the five thousand rupees required ; 
and, as in so many other cases, a church was 
reared at Chittagong. 

A house in the immediate neighborhood, 
frequented by the celebrated Sir William 
Jones, was visited with much interest. It 



2bo life of Bisnor WILSON. 

stood apon the Buminit of a hill commanding 
a magnificent view of the sea on one side, 
and the mountain range upon the other, and 
was called Jaffierbad. Bis Btudy was pointed 

out ; nut all was falling into ruins. 

The various religious services connected 
with the visitation were thoroughly appreci- 
Nbt a soul was absent on any occa- 
sion, " Never was there a station," Bays tin; 
»p, k> which oeed< d a visitation more ; 
and never one where we Bucceeded more 
completely in the great ends in view. Our 
host was Mr. II. T. Raikes, &on of the excel- 
lent chancellor of ( Ihester." 

On November 21sl Ik- left Chitragong, 
and "ii tli.' 23d arrived safely in Calcutta. 
" 1 have hardly yet turned round," he says, 
on entering the palace; "but gratitude lor 
the Divine mercy should Bwell in my heart, 
when I consider tour months of absence 
without any one calamity." 

In January, 1839, the Bishop was cheered 
by the arrival of the Rev. John H. Pratt, 
his new domestic chaplain, the son of his 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 269 

old tutor and dear friend, the Rev. Josiali 
Pratt. 

About this time, two of the Professors 
of Bishop's College being obliged to leave 
their pos's, on account of failing health, 
Bishop Wilson came forward, and once 
more assumed the office of Tutor and Yice- 
Principal, thus adding greatly to his labors, 
but recalling, very pleasantly, his earlier 
days. 

A course of Lent Lectures, this season, on 
" The Lord's Prayer," attracted very large 
congregations ; indeed, the church was so 
crowded that he began to think the time had 
come for building a new cathedral. The 
suggestion was so favorably received, that 
at the last of the Lent Lectures he an- 
nounced his intention to the twelve hundred 
persons present. "I thought," he said, "I 
should never have such a favorable oppor- 
tunity again ; and that, to express a firm 
purpose on my part, was one step towards 
success, amidst the timid, vacillating, shifting 
population of India." 

23* 



270 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

The Bishop entered upon this work with 
the utmost enthusiasm, as may be seen from 
the freqnent mention of it in his journal. 

Having applied to Colonel Morrison, the 
rnor of Bengal, to grant him a suitable 
lot for the cathedral, hie request met with 
tin- kindest reception. The Bishop makes 
this note on the 14th of June: " 1 wrote on 
the morning of the L2th to the Governor of 
»al, and begged him nor to resign me to 
the Military Board, 1'iit to put me at onee in 
ision of my ground, and let me mark it 
out the same evening, lie did so. He 
wrote a note from Council to Colonel Mac- 
leod. At six o'clock in the evening of that 
day. yon would have Beeu me standing on 
the ground — about one thousand feet by six 
hundred — and have heard Colonel Macleod 
telling me, ' My lord, it is all yours. Choose 
whatever part you prefer for your cathedral.' 
I seemed to myself like Moses surveying 
from Mount Pisgah the promised land. I 
figured to myself my beautiful spire, rising 
up two hundred and twenty feet — the fin^, 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 271' 

deeply-buttressed Gothic nave, chancel, and 
transepts, marking the massive grandeur of 
the Christian religion, the magnificent organ, 
sounding out, 'Thou art the King of glory, 
O Christ !' — my native presbyters, in their 
snow-white vestments, walking down the 
aisles, the Christian neophytes responding in 
the choir, and Jesus acknowledged as the 
Lord of all. 

" But, hush, my foolish heart ! All future 
things are with thy God and Saviour, who 
oft abashes human projects, and dashes 
them to pieces like a potter's vessel. God y s 
will be done. I have called the cathedral 
St. Paul's, to denote the doctrine which will 
ever be proclaimed by its ministers, and the 
example of tenderness and fidelity which 
they will ever exhibit. I have fixed June 
18th for issuing my proposals, because it is 
the anniversary of my leaving England, and 
completes my seventh year ; and because it 
is the anniversary of the victory of "Waterloo, 
emblematical, I hope, of the spiritual victory 
of Christ in my cathedral. The next step is 



272 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

to see and get the plans drawn and arranged. 
I wish I were an architect. But I am not." 
The Bishop saved every rupee he could, 
towards the carrying out of his noble design, 
and spared no pains to interest his friends, 
far and near, in the work so dear to his 
heart. On the 9th of ( October, the first stone 
of St. Paul'.- Cathedral was laid, with solemn 
ceremonies and an appropriate address. All 
preliminary measured having been arranged, 
the work proceeded as rapidly as could be 
expected. 



Cfyqtta f tomtjj-Jfirst. 

A MACEDONIAN OEY — WONDERFUL AWAKENING AMONGST 
THE NATIVES PUTTING THE SICKLE INTO THE HAR- 
VEST THE BISHOP GOES HIMSELF TO SHARE IN THE 

GLORIOUS WORK SEYENTY-TWO NATIVE VILLAGES IN 

ONE MISSIONARY CIRCUIT — THE BAPTISM AT ANUNDA 

BASS " WE RENOUNCE THEM ALL" THE BISHOP GOES 

ON HIS WAY REJOICING — A CITY SET ON A HILL— QUIET 

REBUKE WHICH ACCOMPLISHED ITS PURPOSE LAND 

MARCH BEGUN TWO CHURCHES CONSECRATED AT 

CAWNPORE — THE SAME DUTY PERFORMED IN OTHER 

PLACES " FAINT, YET PURSUING 1 ' A LONG JOURNEY 

SAFELY ENDED. 

tNE day, towards the close of the year 
1838, a native, of courteous address 
and fine bearing, brought the Bishop 
a message from the missionaries of 
Krishnaghur, informing him of a 
general movement amongst the na- 
tives towards Christianity. Hundreds were 
seeking for instruction ; many were anxious 
to be baptized, and there were only two 
missionaries on the spot, to put the sickle 
into the ripening harvest. 




27*. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 



After a little delay. Archdeacon Dealtiy 
and the Eev. K. M. Banergee were sent 
down to Krishnaghur, and were met there 
by two other missionaries. They found the 
inhabitants of fifty-two villages exceedingly 
interested in regard to their salvation, and 
after making all due allowance for worldly 
and selfish motives which might influence 
some, there were thousands who seemed to 
be sincere and earnest. 

In February, 1S39, the Bishop baptized 
one hundred and thirty -live native converts 
at Banipore, and confirmed sixty who had 
been baptized before his arrival. 

.Reports coming to him from various 
quarters concerning the progress of the great 
work, he soon afterwards left Calcutta, pro- 
posing to make an extensive circuit. 

He found that the mission in Krishnaghur 
had already assumed a distinct form. Sev- 
enty-two villages were embraced within its 
circuit, seven hundred converts having been 
baptized, and several thousand being under 
a regular course of instruction. The Bishop 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 275 

went from station to station examining, 
preaching, encouraging, and confirming. He 
visited Krishnaghur, Solo, Ruttenpoor, An- 
unda Bass, and Ranobunda ; and said he could 
hardly sleep, from agitation, joy, and anxiety 
to direct everything aright. He describes 
the baptism of one hundred and fifty con- 
verts at Anunda Bass as follows : 

" Never did I feel the beauty of our bap- 
tismal and confirmation services so much as 
this morning — the prayer of thanksgiving of 
the first, the laying on of hands and suppli- 
cations of the second. It was the sign and 
seal and first day, in the eye of others, of the 
new birth by water and the Spirit. It was 
the descent of the sanctifying grace of the 
Holy Ghost. 

" We began with examining the candidates 
for baptism. ' Are you sinners V ' Yes, we 
are.' ' How do you hope to obtain forgive- 
ness V ' By the sacrifice of Christ. 5 ' What 
was that sacrifice V i We were sinners, and 
Christ died in our stead.' ' How is yonr 
heart to be changed V ' By the Holy Ghost.' 



276 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

; Will you renounce all idolatry, feasts, poo 
jahs, and caste? 5 ' Yes, we renounce them 
all.' 'Will you renounce the world, the 
flesh, and the devil?' 4 Yes.' < Will you 
suffer for Christ's sake V " Yes.' ' Will you 
forgive injuries ?' ' Yes.' In a word, I went 
over all the branches of Christianity with 
the candidates, and finding from Mr. Deerr 
that they had for a year or more been under 
instruction and walking consistently, I begged 
him to read the baptismal service. 

" When we came to the questions, I paused 
to tell them of the seriousness of the engage- 
ment, and I asked the whole congregation of 
the baptized if they would be witnesses and 
godparents to these candidates. They shout- 
ed out that they would. 

"The sight was most touching — one hun- 
dred and fifty souls about to enter the Chris- 
tian Church, and the whole of the Christian 
village standing sponsors for them ! Baptism 
was then administered ; and I stood in the 
midst, and received them into the ark of 
Christ's Church. You cannot imagine the 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON, 277 

intelligent, anxious eyes of the assembly as 
this was going on." 

At Ranobunda, two hundred and fifty 
were baptized in the same manner ; and 
these additions to the Church raised the 
whole number to above one thousand. 

The foundations of the requisite missionary 
buildings were next laid, a sub-committee 
was appointed, the four missionaries now on 
the field were counselled and encouraged ; 
and then, on November 1st, the Bishop went 
on his way rejoicing. a A good and great 
work is evidently going on," he says. " But 
to oppose this, there is cause to fear— 1. Tem- 
poral motives. 2. The effect of the relief 
granted at the time of the inundation. 3, 
The countenance and presence of so many 
Padres and Sahibs. 4. The influence of ex- 
ample and popular movement. 5. The insta- 
bility of the human heart. 6. Satan's infinite 
craft. But .... Time will show who 
are tares and who wheat" 

A certain measure of reaction followed, as 

it always does ; for in the spiritual, as in the 

24 



278 LITE OF BTSIIOP WILSON. 

natural world, the blossom far exceeds the 
fruit. It proved bo at Krishnaghur. The 
gathering did not equal the promise; yet a 
-rcat work had been wrought. A true 
Church was gathered out of the world of 
heathenism; and ii .-till stands, like a city set 
upon a hill. 

The Bishop pursued his journey through 
Berhampore, Btopping at Moorshedabad, and 
then passing on to Beauleacb, Patna, Gyah, 
and Hazeerabagh. At the last-named place 
lie spent Advcn; Sunday, and administered a 
quiet rebuke to those who had Buffered the 
church to remain two years in an unfinished 
condition, by holding Divine service within 
the lour walls, which had neither roof nor 
floor. The lesson was so salutary, that a 
pledge was given that the huilding should be 
completed in two months. 

He preached and performed the usual ser- 
vices at Ghazeepore, Jaunpore, and Benares, 
and officiated on Christmas at Allahabad, 
where the river was left and his land march 
began. Captain Hay, a gentlemanly officer, 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 279 

commanded the camp, which numbered more 
than two hundred souls — the Bishop travel- 
ling sometimes in a little phaeton, and some- 
times on his old white " ghooni" or hill-pony. 

On the 4th of January, 1840, the company 
reached Cawnpore, where two churches were 
consecrated, and thence the Bishop proceeded 
to Lucknow and Bareilly, where the same 
agreeable duty was performed. 

At Meerut the services were extremely 
interesting, being attended by a large num- 
ber of soldiers just returned from the first 
prosperous campaign in Affghanistan and 
Caubul. After a short visit to Delhi, the 
camp moved to Ahmorah, on the mountains, 
where the corner-stone of another hill-church 
was laid. The Bishop, although much worn 
by his travels, continued on his way across 
the mountains, and on the 24th of April ar- 
rived safely at Mussooree, where he remained 
three weeks. Here, also, a new and beautiful 
church was consecrated. 

From this point he passed on by the lower 
route through ISTahun, to Simlah. His brief 



280 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

sojourn here was characterized by incessant 
activity. Bidding it adieu, with a devout 
aspiration for God's blessing upon it, he set 
out on his return to Calcutta — consecrating 
churches, and performing other important 
duties as he went — and reaching home on 
the 3d of April, 1841. "May God be for- 
ever praised and magnified," he says, "for 
all II is goodness and mercy during a year 
and a half. I have attended church once 
more, though 1 took no duty. It will require 
a few days for my mind to calm down to 
regular occupations. Oh, for grace, wisdom, 
power, victory over self, real spirituality, 
meekness, preparation for suffering !" 



€\mtn % toeuts-Swmlr. 

A FEW TEOUBLES TO DISTUBB THE SMOOTH OUBEENT OF 
EVENTS — OXFOED THEOLOGY AGAIN — THE PLYMOUTH 

BEETHEEN MAKE A CONVEBT EFFOETS TO BEING BACK 

THE WANDEEING SHEEP WATCHING THE CATHEDEAL 

ALL CALCUTTA MAD AFTEE THE WOELD — A SHOET 

VISITATION — SUNDAY AT SYLHET BIDING IN BOATS 

AND ON ELEPHANTS CHIEEA POONJEE SUPEEMACY 

OF THE HOLY SOEIPTUEES DEFENDED — FIEST METRO- 
POLITAN VISITATION DOINGS AT MADEAS CASTE 

DIFFICULTIES MOVING ONWAED BHENIA's TOMB 

SYEIAN CHUBCHES DISAPPOINTED HOPES AT BOMBAY 

THANKSGIVING SEEMON ON BEACHING HOME. 

, ISHOP WILSON found enough to 
occupy him, upon his return to Cal- 
cutta, and some things which trou- 
\SS^) bled him not a little. 

A professor had been sent out 
from England to fill a vacancy in 
the college, whose theological opinions were 
too much in harmony with those of the 
Newman school to please him, and he en- 
deavored to have him recalled. This request 
was refused. 

24* 




282 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Another anxious matter had reference to 
Mrs. Wilson, who had done a great deal for 
the promotion of female education in the 
Leaving Calcutta (where she had 
succeeded admirably), Bhe removed to Au- 
gurpara, four: con miles distant, to take 
charge of a large orphan asylum Here she 
was cut off from the privileges of the 
Church, and fell in with a denomination 
called "the Plymouth Brethren," who spared 
ii" pains to make a proselyte of her; and, 
Bad to relate they succeeded in their efforts. 
The effect of this upon the Bishop's mind we 
prefer to give in his own words. 

"Alas! Mrs. Wilson, of Augurpara, is 
determined to Be cede from the Church, and 
join the Plymouth Brethren. You start ! 
But it is too true. I determined, instantly 
I heard it, to go down with the Archdeacon 
and Mr. Pratt, and see what an interview 
would do, under God's blessing. We con- 
versed with her for two or three hours with- 
out the least effect. Yesterday I recapitu- 
lated the conversation in an affectionate 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 283 

letter, and offered to pay for the support of 
a missionary at her station, if the Church 
Missionary Society would not. All was in 
vain. We must now endeavor to save the 
mission and orphans if we can ; for this is 
only the beginning of the fall. My com- 
fort is to cast myself on my Lord Christ, and 
submit to His righteous will in this sharp 
affliction. Her apostasy is like a standard- 
bearer's fainting ; and all aggravated by 
opposite errors. Never was I in such a 
plunge. Never ! But now faith must have 
her triumph, faith in the power and grace 
of Christ, faith in His love and wisdom." 

The following extract from his private 
journal will show that his annoyances did 
not end here : 

" April 8th. Every moment is occupied. 
I have been five days in Calcutta, and four 
times to my new cathedral. I ride round 
the scaffolding and framework of the build- 
ing every morning on my ghoont (as Nehe- 
miahj on his beast, around the desolations 
of Jerusalem), and watch the progress mak- 



2S4 LI IK OF BISHOP WILSON. 

ing, and the different views the cathedral 
will present. The sun will nor allow me to 
visit it whilst the men are at work. 

" Eas -Monday, April L2th. Yesterday 
v celebrated our Easter. The Governor- 
' ral and hi- family nol present; neither 
were they last Sunday, nor Good Friday. 
The collection was only one thousand and 

rupees, instead of five or six thousand, 

when Lord William and Sir Charles were 
present. The" or-( l-en sral'e non-attend- 

. members of 
council, commander-in-chief, and higher civ- 
ilians t" absenl themselves. We had only 
about five hundred in church. All Calcutta 
is mad after the world. French plays are 
acted at Government House, a new theatre 
is built, two Sunday papers desecrate the 
Lord's Day ; all is rushing backwards, as to 
morality and religion, with a refluent tide. 
I must see what I can do. But the Lord 
Christ and His Spirit can alone awaken a 
torpid world like that of India. We must 
wait and pray." 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 285 

On the 6th of October, the Bishop left 
Calcutta, proposing to visit a few stations 
hitherto omitted, and having spent a short 
time at Barrackpore, Burdwau, and Chin- 
surah, he embarked on a steamer and pro- 
ceeded to Sylhet and Chirra Poonjee. 
Writing of Sylhet, he says (under date of 
Sunday morning, ^November 7th), " I ad- 
dressed, pretty strongly, a party of sixteen 
here, at family prayers, last night, and am 
now thinking what sermon I can best select 
for a station where a chaplain has not been 
for a single day for three years, and where I 
6hall preach only once. I think St. John v. 
24, will give me as much scope as any ; 
1 These things I say, that ye might be saved.' 
May the Lord help me ! 

" Mr. Sealey's house, in which I am, is 
perched, like a bird's nest, on the top of a 
little hill, perhaps one hundred and twenty 
feet high. But, as it is a cone, the whole 
circuit of the plains, covered with verdant 
and thick vegetation, stretches around to the 
horizon with its green mantle. The contrast 



286 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

with the heats and mosquitoes is inex- 
pressible." 

Concerning the other new station, the 
Bishop thus writes : kk Chirra Poonjee. We 
are four thousand feet above the plains. The 
thermometer in the garden, at six o'clock in 
the morning, is 50° ; in the house, and with 
a fire, at eight o'clock, it is 67°. A wild 
kind of journey of fourteen hoars brought us 
here. We went fifteen miles in a covered 
boat, from Chuttack ; then mounted ele- 
phant.- : then I got into a tonjon with bear- 
ers ; and Mr. Pratt rode on a pony. The 
j ;e is very bleak : and though doubly and 
trebly clothed, and sitting by a fire, I am 
not warm. I have now visited all the hills 
but Darjeeling. 

K Chirra Poonjee is not much frequented, 
for the water is bad, and the climate a per- 
petual rain. The distance from Calcutta is 
only three hundred and sixty miles, but the 
access is difficult. Sometimes more good is 
done in these desolate places than in much 
larger ones. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 287 

" At Chuttack (Mr. Inglis') we had a 
family of seven, and many in tears during 
the service. Three were confirmed, and the 
whole seven partook of the Holy Sacrament. 

" We are on the south-eastern frontiers of 
our wonderful empire. The hill people are 
from Thibet and China. They raise rude 
altars on the tops of mountains, and offer 
goats in sacrifice. We had Divine service 
on Friday ; congregation only fifteen, but so 
attentive, it was delightful to observe them. 
On Sunday there were two services, and 
Holy Communion." 

On the 24th of August, 1842, the Bishop 
delivered another charge to his clergy, in 
which he strongly defended the supremacy 
of the Holy Scriptures. The same evening 
he set out on his first metropolitan visitation, 
proceeding first to Moulmein, Malacca, and 
Singapore, and then stretching across to 
Madras, where he landed on the 23d of 
November. 

Before proceeding further, it will be suffi- 
cient for us to explain that a Metropolitan is 



288 life of bishop wn 

one who presides over the other bishops of a 

province It will readily be perceived that 

was "He most difficult to be exer- 

. and which required a Large measure of 

pro l( 

Dr. i ras the Bishop of Madras— 

and it was in h that Bishop Wilson 

b( g Lis labors as Metropolitan. Many 
rs of anxiety had to be discussed, many 
ill questions Bettled, many wounds 
; . staj ed twenty <la\ b, delivered 

iched many times, performed 
rse of duty, and then departed 
" Never," be Bays, % - had I a 
more dim b of duties to discharge 

o India. The office • f Metro- 
politan is indeed more important than I 
nceived." 
The Bishop of Madras was himself on 
visitation, and the ship (having landed the 
Metropolitan at Negapatam, on the coast) 
carried him on his way to Trincomalee. 

From Xegapatam, the journey to Tanjore 
was performed by land ; and on December 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 289 

17th the Bishop of Calcutta found himself 
once more received into the same Residency 
(though, alas ! death had entered it, and 
changed the residents), as in former years. 
To animate these missions, and confirm as 
Metropolitan the decision he had passed as 
Bishop, was his great object. He found the 
mission much strengthened; but caste was 
not destroyed. Bishop Corrie dealt gently 
with it ; and Bishop Spencer had to learn its 
evils. The present visit, therefore, was not 
ill-timed; for seven years had weakened the 
impression made by the former one in 1836. 
The venerable Kohlhoff still survived, in his 
eighty-first year ; and the native priest, 
Eyanapragasen, in his ninety-third. 

The native Christians flocked in crowds to 
church from Tanjore and all the surrounding 
villages, and were startled by the determined 
and uncompromising condemnation of caste 
to which they listened. " On its being hon- 
estly and irrevocably abolished," said the 
Bishop, " the life of these missions depends." 

On Christmas Day, services were held for 
25 



290 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

both Europeans and . and tour hun- 

dred native communicants assemoled round 
thf Lord' table. No Confirmation was ad- 
ministered, Dor -d< \ conf( pence lield, because 
of an unwillingness ;<> interfere in any way 
with the functions of the dioc< 

A hastj ■ also paid to Trichinopoly : 

and after five eights 1 travelling and nine 
times preaching, in Bixl en days, the Bishop 
returne to Negapatam, and finding his ship 
ready. Bailed for Trincomalee. Here, ik being 
almost worn out," he rested for six days, and 
shed by the Intercourse and friend- 
ship of his brother of Madras. 

On the 5th of January, l v i' Wil- 

soi) embarked at Trincomalee, and, having 
narrowly escaped Bhipwreck, arrived safely 
at Colombo. Here the charge was again 
delivered, and a clause introduced interdict- 
ing the clergy from coffee plantations and 
speculations. The several stations having 
been duly visited, the vessel's head was 
turned towards Tutocorin, whence the south- 
ern missions of Tinnevelly, Palamcotta, and 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 291 

Nazareth (not hitherto visited) were access- 
ible. But wind and weather forbade; and 
after much difficulty, a landing was effected 
at a desolate spot called Poo vera, about 
twenty-iive miles from Cape Comorin. 

No food, no shelter, no means of commu- 
nication presented themselves for some time. 
At length a Roman Catholic priest appeared, 
and a very slender knowledge of Latin en- 
abled him to provide the party with food 
and bearers. At each halting-place a friend 
was found in the shape of a missionary of the 
London Society ; and at length, after great 
fatigue, Palamcotta was reached, in the night 
of the 29th January, 1843. Seven missiona- 
ries were at hand to welcome the Bishop. 
He at once pronounced the " peace" enjoined 
by Christ, and then knelt down to return 
thanks for the preservation and guidance 
vouchsafed. 

Most interesting services commenced the 
next morning. At dawn of day, one hundred 
catechists and schoolmasters delivered to him 
a poetical composition in Tamul, congratu- 



292 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

lating him on his safe arrival, and on the 
joy caused by the Bight of "his noble face." 

Rhenia's tomb was visited, on which ap- 
pear the words, engraved at his request, 
11 ^h jndgment is with the Lord, and my 
work with my God." These words, and the 
tender feelings excited by the visit, were 
red to by the Bishop when delivering 
his charge to twelve missionaries of both the 
Chun ties oext day. Station after 

i was then visited — missionary after 
missionary conferred with. 

"There are glorious beginnings here," he 
Baid, "and it is delightful to talk with such 
calm, well-educated, pious, devoted, sensible 
men. who know what they are about. I 
have written to the Bishop of Madras, to 
express my wonder at these blessed missions, 
and to say that there must be twenty-four 
more missionaries sent out — twelve from 
each society ; for now the harvest languishes 
for want of reapers. What is England abou r , 
with her drivelling controversies, whilst India 
is in vain stretching out her hands to God ?" 



LITE OF BISHOP WILSON. 293 

He went about everywhere preaching — 
now in finished, now in unfinished churches 
— now in tents, and now in the open air ; 
but he held that his chief work lay with the 
missionaries themselves ; and when, on the 
last day of his visit, he found ten surround- 
ing him, he made them a farewell address, 
condensing the advice he had previously and 
occasionally given them. In the evening, 
after Divine service and a sermon by Mr. 
Pratt, they presented a touching and beau- 
tiful address, acknowledging the Bishop's 
kindness and entreating his prayers. 

He turned now to the Syrian churches; 
and a journey of fourteen hours from Tri- 
vandrum brought him first to Quilon, and 
thence to Cottayam. The reader will not 
have forgotten what passed at the previous 
visit. But he has now to learn that all the 
measures then suggested for the improvement 
of that ancient Church— for the extension of 
education, the elevation of the clergy, the 
eradication of error — had been absolutely 
rejected. Even the very donation left by 
25* 



294 LTFK OF BISHOP WII 

the Bishop, which was a kind of first-fruits 
of an endowment for the Church, was tr 

tribe, and refused. The moment he had 
retired, the bo* returned to its usual bent. 
The Metran was again in the ascendant, and 
the Church had sunk too low to desire i 
compel a reformation. 

lie gone, thai a covenant was 
entered u id all further Intercourse 

with the missionaries, and to withdraw all 

as from the jinister 

influence might have been at work did not 
appear. ( hie unworthy clergyman, a chap- 
Iain of the company, had travelled through 

• mtry, telling the people that crucifixes, 
and prayers for the dead, and all the super- 
stitions Learned from Rome, were right; and 
that the missionaries and their doctrines were 
all wrong; but his visit had keen short, and 
he had keen forbidden to repeat it. 

It needed not this to unveil the matter. 
Further acquaintance with the Metran and 
the leading men had developed deep-seated 
evils, and explained the distaste for any 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 295 

change. And the only course apparently 
left open was, to set up an open mission. 
This course had been accordingly adopted 
by the missionaries, and sanctioned by the 
Bishop of Madras, under whose license they 
were now acting. 

A great change was thus produced. Hand- 
some churches were in the course of erection. 
The property attached to the college, which 
had been jointly held, was now divided. 
The old buildings had been left for the 
Syrians, and new ones, already containing 
seventy pupils, had been raised for the mis- 
sionaries. Primary schools were multiplying 
on all hands, and about seven hundred chil- 
dren were under instruction, so that there 
was good promise for the future. But it was 
still mingled with regret. It was pleasant to 
see the light shining in a dark place ; but it 
would have been pleasanter to say of that 
ancient Church, " Thou hast the dew of thy 
youth." This regret, however, was unmin- 
gled with self-reproach. Our Church had 
" done what she could." She had held out 



296 I.IF! P WILSON. 

the right hand >wship to the Syrian 

Church, an I I een refused : and she could do 
do n. 

ayam, Beven missionaries were 
• lie Bishop's cb 
Divii Lebrated, the Holy 

I Iministered, the new co 

examined, and then he 
Allej ' ' . and on February 17th 

embarked for Bombay. 

va& long and weary, and be 
did not arrive till the L3th of March. 

• k 1 1 ;;i!;. . Osion" -such is the 

ntry in the journaJ at Bombay. "The 
et, humble, and 
spiritually min d en- 

try. The charge was once again delivered; 

troversy was settled about the erection 
of a memorial to the troops who fell in 

anistan : an address was delivered on 
laying the foundation-stone of a college in 
memory of Sir Robert Grant; much pleasant 
intercourse was held with the governor, Sir 
George Arthur ; all the places endeared by 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSOET. 297 

former recollections were revisited ; and then, 
on April 3d ? the Bishop once more embarked, 
and, after calling at Goa on his way, reading 
through a volume of St. Augustine, and suf- 
fering from an attack of gout, he reached 
Calcutta in safety on Saturday, May 12th. 

Thus ended a journey, by land and water, 
of eight thousand seven hundred miles. On 
Sunday he preached a thanksgiving sermon 
from Psalm lxxi. 14, 16, and on Monday he 
writes : 

'* I have not yet been able to compose my 
mind, the change is so great. But, oh ! may 
God give me wisdom and unders ran ding to 
go in and out before this so great people ; 
and especially to stand firmly and unmoved 
in defence of the Gospel ! I have preached 
eighty sermons during my absence." 



bapter tontjj-^jjirlr. 



ON BOARD 8niP — WORKS OF FAITH AND LOVE — SERIOUS 

ILLNESS — CONSECRATION OF CIIUROH AT ALMORAH 

PREPARING A BOOK FOR IIIS DIOCESE — FAREWELL TO 
BIMLAH — ANOTHER SEVERE ATTACK — THE BISHOP RE- 
TURNS TO CALCUTTA — -DEPAETUBE FOR ENGLAND — 

SUMMARY OF THIRTEEN YEARS' LABOR ONCE MORE 

AT ISLINGTON — WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED DURING 
HIS VISIT — A LAST FABEWELL — ARRIVAL AT CALCUTTA 
" I MUST GO SOFTLY' 1 CONSECRATION OF THE CATHE- 
DRAL — '"DYING CHARGE" — A NEW VISITATION BEGUN. 

N the 17th of October, 1843, Bishop 
Wilson was again on board a steamer 
bound for Ghazeepoor. When this 
point was reached, he left the river 
and resumed his tent life, journeying 
through Gornackpoor, Ben arch, Al- 
lahabad, and Futtehpoor. At the last- 
named place he closed the year. 

Passing onward, through Futtehgur and 
Bareilly, he came to a new mountain station 
called ISTy nee-Thai. The visit to this point 
was too early in the season, and not a single 




LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 299 

European was in residence. Here the Bishop 
was taken very ill, and was with some diffi- 
culty removed to Almorah, where he was 
confined to the bed for several days. Rally- 
ing again, he consecrated a little church, 
then passed on to Moradabad, Shahjehan- 
poor, and Meerut ; halted for Passion Week 
and Easter; and then proceeded to Deyrah 
Dhoon, Landour, and Mussooree. Want of 
tents for the hill route delayed him till May 
14th; and it was not till June 1st that he 
arrived at Simlah. 

:i Simlah, June 1st, 1844. 

" Blessed be my God and Saviour for, 
bringing me once more, after four years, and 
after a journey of seven months, to this sta- 
tion, and to the same comfortable house 
which I occupied in 1840. May God assist 
me during the four or five months of repose. 
I want to print a volume for my diocese, 
after eight years — experimental, simple, ec- 
clesiastical, Indian, affectionate, final. It is 
clearly ' now or never' with a poor, hurried, 
overwhelmed bishop, like myself. Lord, 



I. IKK OF BISHOP WE 

>rh in the midst of the days. 
As oature sinks, may grace wa: 
Btronger." 

While remaining at Simlah, besides pre- 
paring the volume just referred to, he en- 

>ii of a new and 

church, and on the 9th of September laid the 

I »n the 1 7th of < October the 

. to retain uo more. 

g at LFmballah, he again be- 

. ill ; and although be hoped 

the illness v. ould pn emp >rarj 

attack, to take a 

as be was able 
to mo Calc 

where he arrived on the 2<jih ol April. 
M. •'.-._ l lone! Forbes at the cathedral, lie 
offered > thanks, aud dedicated the 

edific< . titect, and himself to Al- 

mighty God. The examination of the can- 
didates and the ordination- followed. Two 
hundred young persons were confirmed. 
Affectionate addresses were presented to 
him, both from the clergy and laity of Cal- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON". 301 

cutta; and he was requested to sit in Eng- 
land for a marble bustj to be placed in the 
cathedral library. 

His fourth visitation was held ; a last let- 
ter was written to his children, announcing 
his departure, and laying upon them a sol- 
emn charge not to attempt, either by word 
or deed, to influence his mind, or persuade 
him to relinquish his conscientious purpose 
of returning to India ; and then, on May 3d, 
accompanied by his chaplain, he embarked 
on the Precursor steamer for England, via 
the Red Sea. He had been in India nearly 
thirteen years, and every power of body and 
mind had been consecrated to God's service 
there. Fourteen hundred times had he 
borne witness publicly to Christ. His sub- 
stance had been laid upon the altar of sacri- 
fice. He had done much to give the exten- 
sion of the Episcopate a right bias, and three 
bishops were now in the field. The control 
of the Metivypolitan was recognized. His 
relation with the Government was far better 
understood, Nothing of an ecclesiastical 
26 



302 i. n •■}•: of bishop wb a 

character was done without his cognizance 
and approval. 

Bishop Wilson reached England on the 
25th of June. Once more he was in the 
m of his loving family, and in his old 
home at Islington. Friends flocked to 
him from all quarters, and every attention 
was paid him which the highest respect for 
his character and services could sng{ 
Although threatened now and then with a 
return of his the terrible jungle 

fever he was enabled to attend to much 
important < ". arch busin< bs, i nd occasionally 
to preach. Queen Victoria presented him 
with an elegant communion Bel for his cathe- 
dral, and friends sent in their contributions 
toward.- the missions in his vasl diocese. 

But now the time drew nigh when he 
must bid a last farewell to his dear native 
land. The romance of India had Jong sinee 
passed away, and he knew all that awaited 
him there, in the shape of trials, and sac- 
rifices, and labors. But nune of these things 
moved him, and having preached his last 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON". 303 

sermon at Islington on the 30th of August, 
1846, he took an affectionate leave of all who 
were dearest to him on earth, and with 
invigorated strength went forth to finish the 
work which God had given him to do. 

Landing at Calcutta, on the 14th of De- 
cember, he drove to the cathedral, where all 
the clergy of the city had assembled to wel- 
come his return, and he offered up with them 
a devout thanksgiving to God. 

From this period we must not expect to 
find the venerable Bishop as active as 
in earlier years. " I must go softly," he 
said. " I must take in sail." And so he 
did. But still the gradual lessening of effort, 
the contentment with daily duties, and the 
general superintendence of the Church were 
varied by many novel incidents and vigor- 
ous movements ; so that, with chastened 
expectations, the sunset will be found the 
pleasantest part of the day. 

Eight years had elapsed since the first 
stone of the new cathedral had been laid, 
and early in October, 1847, it was ready for 



304 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

consecration. It was designed to answer a 
threefold purpose First, it was to be a 
parish church for a large district of Calcutta; 
secondly, it was to be served by a body of 
clergy who, under the designation of a dean 
and chapter, were to bear a missionary char- 
acter and bo carry on; missionary objects; 
thirdly, it was t<> be the cathedral of the 
M, ropolil P Calcutta— -the Bishop's 

eing transferred to it, and all episcopal 
functi orined in it. For the com- 

HK'iir H COnd of these designs a 

endowment »fund, amounting to nearly 

'hi, had been raised, ami for the com- 
pletion of it a similar amount was still re- 
quired. The annual income thus accruing 
would have biiiiiced for the maintenance of 

six missionary canons, who, with the addition 
of the archdeacon and six honorary canons, 
would have constituted the dean and chapter 
of the cathedral. 

But the failure in obtaining the Act of 
incorporation frustrated this part of the 
design ; and the funds were eventually dis- 



^gs&mm^&Z^ 




LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 305 

posed of in a way which will be told in its 
place. For this failure, and the disappoint- 
ment consequent upon it, the Bishop was in 
no way responsible. He had done what he 
could. But the reluctance of the East India 
Company was not to be overcome. The 
" better times" for which he waited are yet 
future. 

Of course the consecration of the cathedral 
was a grand occasion. The Bishop preached 
for an hour from 2 Chronicles vi. 18. We 
must allow him to describe the scene. " It 
was a wonderful sight for India. As I drove 
to the cathedral at ten o'clock, the whole 
space around it was filled with carriages of 
all descriptions, in the most picturesque 
groupes. The clergy and laity were waiting 
my arrival, surrounded with multitudes of 
spectators. I made my way through them 
with verger and pastoral staff, and then pro- 
ceeded up the middle alley to the commu-. 
nion-rails. The petition for consecration was 
then read. I assented ; and then the pro- 
cession began, repeating, as usual, the 
26* 



306 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

twenty-fourth Psalm. The other forms hav- 
ing been gone through, the morning service 
commenced, the organ leading superbly in 
the chants. Colonel Forbes was sitting near 
me. I turned to him and said, k How beau- 
tifully the voice is heard !' When I ascended 
the pulpit, there was all around me a sea of 
heads, reaching to the doorway and outer 
steps. At the communion, the thirty-five 
clergy kneeling at the rails, and the five 
ministering within, presented to my mind 
an overwhelming sight. We retired at half- 
pasl three o'clock, praising and blessing 
God for all we had heard and seen. The 
dinner subsequently went off admirably 
well. The Governor, members of council, 
secretaries, clergy, etc., were full of kindness 
and l<>ve. Can I wonder that the Lord sent 
me a ' thorn in the flesh,' a ' messenger of 
Satan to buffet me V No. I rejoice in His 
chastening hand." 

The Bishop, in his journal-letters to his 
children, relates many things which hap- 
pened, day by day, but these, though cer- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 307 

tainly interesting, can hardly be considered 
of snfficient importance to be permanently 
preserved in a biography. 

In the autumn of 1848, after delivering his 
" Dying Charge," as he called it, he em- 
barked for Bombay, to enter upon his second 
visitation as Metropolitan, and his fifth gen- 
eral visitation. 



Chapter ttoentn-lowrti]. 

RECEPTION - AT BOMBAY COLOMBO — OVERWORK AT MAD- 

BAI ILLNESS— -ORDERED TO SEA — NEW PALACE — 

VISITATION BES1 MED -THIRTY-SIX DATS FULLY OCCU- 
PIED CONSECRATION OF A OHUEOH IN BORNEO — SICK- 
NESS OF PROFESSOR STREET — THE DIFFERENCES BE- 
TWEEN GOOD MEN FADING AWAY — GROWING OLD — 
ANOTHER FAITH! OL CHARGE — PICTURE DRAWN BY THE 
BISHOP OF VICTORIA — ARRIVAL OF A ORANDSON — 
INAUGURATION OF THE EAST INDIA RAILWAY — CON- 
SBOBATIOB OF THE BISHOP OF LABUAN. 

[SHOP WILSON reached Bombay 

early in December, 1848, being 
warmly receive 1 hy Bishop Carr 
''") and his clergy. Here he delivered 
( XX h^ charge, and performed various 
^ duties belonging to his office as 
Metropolitan, and then proceeded to Colombo, 
in Ceylon. On his way thither, he narrowly 
escaped death, from falling through an open 
hatchway on the lower deck. At Colombo 
he was overwhelmed with kindness, and fin- 
ished the year by preaching in the cathedral 




LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 309 

before the Governor and a large congrega- 
tion. 

On the first of February we find him at 
Madras, now left destitute of a bishop, good 
Dr. Spencer having returned to England 
with a constitution much shattered by the 
climate. 

Bishop Wilson forgot that he was getting 
to be an old man, and labored with so little 
regard to strength, that he was attacked with 
a low fever, and was hurried off to sea by 
his physician, although he begged to be per- 
mitted to remain long enough to administer 
Confirmation to several hundred persons who 
were waiting to receive it. Once more at 
Calcutta, his recovery was rapid, and he was 
able to discharge his duties as usual. 

Early in September, 1849, he took posses- 
sion of a new mansion which had been pre- 
pared for him, and he thus refers to it in his 
journal : 

" This is the first day I have come over to 
study, and write, and meditate. I sit in the 
third story. The prospect is exquisite. The 



310 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

cathedral adjoins the compound; the espla- 
nade stretches unobstructed to the south and 
south-east; the air is delicious. We shall not 
come to live here, must likely, till our return 
from visitation ; for we start again, please 
God, on September 21st. Now I desire to 
dedicate this new abode to Thy glory, O 
Lord] Mu\ every succeeding bishop live 
and preach Thy Gospel more and more 
clearly; may every room have its altar of 
prayer and praise; and may this change be 
for the comfort and usefulness of Thy serv- 
ant's successors, and the glory of Thy great 
and holy name." 

On the 21st of the month his visitation 
was resumed ; and in the usual accommoda- 
tion boat the Bishop ascended the river to 
Allahabad, and then dropped down, stopping 
at the various stations, and performing the 
required duties. With these stations and 
duties the reader is now familiar, so that it 
will be sufficient to state that the journey 
was performed in safety, and Calcutta re- 
gained on January 22d, 1850. 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 311 

In August of this year he made another 
circuit, a summary of his labors being thus 
given by himself: "In thirty-six days 1 have 
preached eighteen times. The good seed 
sown in these visitations is of the last import- 
ance. I am satisfied a Bishop does nothing 
more useful. The tone of religion is raised. 
Individuals are » touched. The clergy are 
roused. But I shall be glad of rest now, 
after a journey of two thousand miles, and 
eight stations, with about a thousand Chris- 
tians altogether. Most of these have never 
been visited before. Besides preaching, I 
have held four confirmations, have conse- 
crated one church and cemetery, and opened 
two others. Eben-Ezer! Hitherto the Lord 
hath helped us. Fine weather, a favorable 
entrance amongst the people, grace sufficient, 
good health, our beloved Church strength- 
ened, error denounced, Christ alone exalted, 
many souls, I hope, blessed forever — these 
have been the characteristics of this visita- 
tion." 

The Bishop had hardly got rested, after 



312 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

this journey, before lie received a letter from 
the Bishop of London, begging him to pro- 
ceed to the island of Borneo, and consecrate 
the new church recently erected by Sir 
Jamee Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak. A 
voyage of fourteen weeks and a journey of 
four thousand miles was thus suggested, by 
the stroke of a pen, to a Bishop in bis 
seventy-third year ! For a moment his heart 
sank within him; but he bad never yet de- 
clined the call of duty, and his courage soon 
ed. He communicated with the Gov- 
ernment, and no obstacle presenting itself, he 
resolved i' i 

Setting Bail on the 11th of November, and 
preaching and continuing at various stations 
by the way, he reached Borneo on the 18th 
of January, 1851. The church, though not 
quite covered in, was consecrated amidst an 
immense assemblage of Chinese, Malays, and 
Dyaks, from all parts of the island. It was 
built of iron-wood and the palm-tree, and 
was a handsome structure. 

" Never," said the Bishop, " did I feel such 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON, 313 

delight in consecrating a church. The site 
of it, two years ago, was covered with thick 
jungle; and Sarawak itself, ten years ago, 
was desolated by pirates. The whole is next 
to miraculous ; and if the evangelical spirit 
govern the mission, and strong, heroic men 
can be sent forth, full of faith and love, glo- 
rious things may be anticipated in future 
years." 

Many services were performed by the 
Bishop on his return to Calcutta, where he 
landed on the 14th of March. 

"We referred in a former chapter to the 
appointment of a professor in the College, 
with views which gave the Bishop much 
unea:iness, A few days after his return from 
Borneo, word was brought that Professor 
Street was very ill, and desired to see him. 
He went without delay. " His appearance 
[says the Bishop] was death-like ; and though, 
from the spasmodic action of the throat, he 
could not speak, yet his intellect was clear. 
I simply directed him to the bleeding Lamb, 
and His one offering for sin, in a few strong 
27 



314 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

words, and then made a short prayer to the 
same effect, mentioning the righteousness of 
Christ alone for justification, and the influ- 
ences of the Holy Spirit for sanctification. 
I then kissed him, pronounced the benedic- 
tion, and retired." 

As the Bishop was leaving, the dying man 

raised himself in his bed, and with a great 

effort said, "God bless your lordship." This 

heir last interview. The Professor died, 

and the Bishop officiated at the funeral. 

Thus do the differences which divide 
Churchmen fade away as they approach the 
borders of that better world where the spirit 
of controversy and discord can never come. 

The Bishop's own health had become so 
feeble, that when the time for his visitation 
to the upper provinces returned, he com- 
missioned the Archdeacon to go in his place 
and look after the affairs of the churches 
there. Before the Archdeacon's departure, 
another faithful charge was delivered to the 
clergy. 

In January, 1853, the Bishop of Victoria, 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 315 

who happened to be in Calcutta at the time, 
attended his hundred and twenty -second 
clerical meeting, and thus describes the 
Bishop of Calcutta as he then appeared : 

"It is one of the most noble, as well as 
one of the most affecting spectacles I have 
ever witnessed, that of an aged man like 
him, voluntarily separated in his last years 
from his beloved family (and my presence 
when he read his last letters from his chil- 
dren enabled me to perceive how greatly he 
loved them), and waiting for his summons in 
humble faith and love. I never before saw 
him. I should imagine that he is getting 
feeble in body, but he retains a wonderful 
amount of mental energy and vigor, and sits 
up many hours in the day to his desk, read- 
ing or writing. The voice fails him most, so 
that he does not now preach so often, but 
gives most powerful expositions at morning 
and evening family devotions." 

In the autumn of 1854, the Bishop's eldest 
grandson, Daniel Frederick Wilson (with his 
wife), arrived in Calcutta. He was gladly 



316 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

received, admitted into Holy Orders, and, 
during the short period of his visit, attached 
to the cathedral. 

At the commencement of the year 1854 a 
short visit was paid to the missionary stations 
of Krishnaghur and Burdwau ; but the more 
lengthened visitation was reserved for the 
autumn, when, with Mr. and Mrs. Blooni- 
field as his companions, the Bishop ascended 
the river to Allahabad, a- in former times. 

Here lie stayed a week, performing the 
customary duties, and holding an ordination 
for three missionary candidates, one of whom 
was Daoud Singh, of Umritsir, who had 
maintained a steady Christian character for 
nine years. Then dropping down the river 
quietly, he performed, without fatigue, the 
duties of each successive station, and having 
" set in order the things that were wanting," 
he arrived in Calcutta at the close of the 
year 1854. 

A few extracts from the Bishop's journal 
must suffice for the following year. 

" February 5th. On Saturday the East 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 317 

Indian Railway was publicly inaugurated 
by the Governor-General. Alcoves with 
flowers formed a covered way from the Ghat 
to an ornamented steamer ; the other alcoves 
led up to the station-house. At nine o'clock 
the Governor-General arrived, and I read a 
prayer, in my church robes, before the train 
started. Mr. Fisher, who was acting as 
archdeacon, and Mr. Bloomfield, in their 
surplices, read some portions of Holy Scrip- 
ture. Twenty-four carriages then carried 
six or seven hundred gentlemen to Burdwin, 
a distance of sixty-seven miles, in three hours. 
There a breakfast was prepared, and a number 
of excellent speeches were afterwards deliv- 
ered. I reached home by half-past seven, 
after eleven hours of great heat and fatigue." 
Dr. Macdougal, of Borneo, having been 
appointed Bishop of Labuan, his consecration 
took place at Calcutta. Bishop Wilson thus 
refers to it : " Oct. 13. — Things are moving 
on. The Bishop-elect of Labuan arrived last 
week ; Bishop Smith (Yictoria) on the 10th ; 
Bishop and Mrs. Dealtry (Madras) are ex- 
27* 



318 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

pected to-morrow. Dr. Macdougal, with his 
buoyant spirits, line health, and romantic zeal, 
is very much liked. All the gentry are asking 
him to dinner. I have promised him the 
offertory on Thursday, and a sermon on the 
2Sth, for the beneht of his Sarawak mission." 
" Monday, October 22d. The consecration 
place with wonderful success on Thurs- 
day. Bishops Deal try and Smith only just 
arrived in time. Dealtry preached a glorious 
sermon, which will be printed. The cathe- 
dral was crowded. Hundreds crammed 
themselves into every corner ; but hundreds 
could get no admission. The sight of the two 
assistant Bishops conducting the Bishop-elect 
in his rochet from the distant vestry and 
presenting him to me was most affecting ; 
and when, having returned to robe himself, 
he kneeled at the communion rails, the con- 
gregation seemed overwhelmed. The pres- 
ence of three Bishops, in the heart of heathen 
India, setting apart a Missionary Bishop for 
the immense field of Borneo, was an event 
almost miraculous." 



LAST CHARGE TO THE CLERGY SEVENTH VISITATION 

BRAVE OLD MAN FAILING STRENGTH HIS RESOLUTION 

TO DIE AT HIS POST THE INDIAN MUTINY — TRYING 

THE EFFECTS OF SEA AIR LAST ORDINATION CON- 
FINED TO THE BED " I AM TALKING IN MY SLEEP" 

ALL IS PEACE FUNERAL SOLEMNITIES BRIEF EPITOME 

OF HIS LABORS CHARACTER — HIS BENEFACTIONS 

PECULIARITIES. 

f TX the 23d of October, 1855, Bishop 
Wilson delivered his last charge to 
his clergy. It was founded upon the 
address of St. Paul to the presbyters 
of the Church at Ephesus, and was 
full of wholesome and fatherly coun- 
and then, though seventy-eight years 
of age, the brave old man set out on another 
visitation, his seventh and last. It will be 
needless to go much into details. The 
ground passed over was, for the most part, 
what we are already familiar with. The last 
Burmese war had, however, greatly enlarged 
the British possessions in India, and when- 




320 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

ever the Bishop visited any new points, lie 
manifested his accustomed energy in having 
churches established, and other important 
agencies put in motion. His route included 
both Madras and Ceylon. lie was now sub- 
ject to more frequent attacks of sickness, and 
early in the year 1S57 he had a fall, which 
fractured his thigh-bone ; but, through the 
mercy of God, he recovered much more 
speedily than could have been expected at 
his advanced ago. 

His children became more earnest than 
eve:- that he should retire from public duty 
and spend his lasl day- in the bosom of his 
family. He still insisted, however, that a 
Bishop should die at his post, and he accord- 
ingly remained where he was. 

About this time the terrible Indian mutiny 
began, but this is no place to detail its hor- 
rors. While all about him were bewildered 
and alarmed, the Bishop was calm and col- 
lected, and called upon them to look to God 
for help. Calcutta was crowded with fugi- 
tives from the upper provinces, who had 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 321 

barely escaped with their lives, and he cheer- 
fully bore his part towards the relief of their 
pressing wants. 

Towards the last of October his health 
became so feeble, that he was once more 
urged to try the effects of a short sea-voyage. 
On his return to Calcutta he was able to 
hold an ordination in the cathedral. As the 
Bishop expressed it, when speaking of his 
failing health, " The old building may be 
patched up a little, but it is worn out. The 
order of nature hxes its speedy dissolution, 
and the purposes of the i only wise God 5 
will direct the time and the way." 

Again, at the repeated requests of his 
friends, he went out to the receiving-ship, 
cruising around the sand-heads, that he 
might breathe the sea air, but he expected 
little benefit from the change. His antici- 
pations proved true. He preached to those 
on board until the 27th of December, when 
he became so weak that he told those present 
at Divine service that they would hear his 
voice no more. He was barely able to reach 



6W LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

home. His last days were spent in devo- 
tional exercises, deeds of charity, and in set- 
ting his house in order, for his departure 
hence. 

As his kind physician sat by his bed-side, 
on the night of January 1st, 1856, the Bishop 
said to him, " Now you had better go ; I 
only thought I should like to see you once 
again before you retired." He was asked 
I ad a summons at any time during the 
night if he wanted anything, and was then 
recommended to compose himself to sleep. 
" Sleep," he replied, " I am asleep already. 
1 am talking in my sleep." Remarkable 
words ! Death in his case was felt without 
being realized. It was the " Sleep of 
Death." 

As the Archdeacon was rising early in the 
morning to visit the sick-room, a servant 
came running to call him. Through the 
night, it appeared, the Bishop had been some- 
what restless, as aforetime. At half past five 
in the morning he had his usual cup of tea ; 
and the bearer, at his wish, combed the few 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 323 

thin, white hairs which were to him " a crown 
of glory." He then lay down again, and 
geerued to fall into a doze. His old and 
faithful Sirdar, the man who had assisted 
him when fallen in the verandah, the year 
before, sat with the other servants, just in- 
side the door, waiting and watching. 

As time passed on, they were all struck 
with the unusual stillness. Not a sound was 
heard — not a movement made. All was 
silent and motionless. At length they be- 
came frightened, and one ran for help. The 
Archdeacon hurried to the room, and found 
the Bishop lying calm, and apparently un- 
conscious. Doubtful whether what he saw 
was life or death, and unwilling to utter a 
disturbing word, he instantly knelt down 
and offered up the prayer appointed for a 
departing soul : " Wash it in the blood of 
that immaculate Lamb that was slain to take 
away the sins of the world, that whatever 
defilements it may have contracted in the 
midst of this miserable and naughty world, 
through the lusts of the flesh or the wiles of 



324: LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

Satan, being purged away, it may be pre- 
sented pure and without spot before Thee." 
Then, rising from bis knees, lie kissed the 
pale, cold cheek, and sought for any linger- 
ing signs of Life. But none appeared. With- 
out a struggle or a sigh, the soul had left its 
earthly tenement, and in that hour the Mas- 
TfflB had fulfilled the oft-repeated prayer that 
his servant might " End well." 

Soon a little group of mourners stood 
aronnd the lifeless body. It lay upon a 
couch in the study where so many hours had 
been passed, surrounded by books and papers, 
the eyes closed, the features calm, the hands 
gently crossed upon the breast. On a table 
by bis side stood the desk so lately opened 
by his trembling hands. There, also, lay the 
broken watch, the unfinished letter, and the 
oft-read Bible. It was a sight inexpressibly 
affecting to those loving friends, and sent 
them at once to the throne of grace and the 
God of all comfort. Thanksgivings mingled 
with their prayers. They thanked God for 
having taken to himself the soul of the de- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 325 

parted in such perfect peace, and prayed that 
they might follow him as he had followed 
Christ. Then, rising from their knees, they 
went to duty. Bishop "Wilson's funeral took 
place on the 4th of January, and one of the 
Calcutta journals gives this account of it: 

" The mortal remains of this venerable 
prelate were consigned to their last resting- 
place at St. Paul's Cathedral, which was in 
deep mourning, on Monday evening last. 
At about a quarter after four, p. m., the cof- 
fin, which was of mahogany, covered with 
silk velvet, and suitably adorned, was re- 
moved from the Bishop's palace to the ca- 
thedral. It was placed on a large bier, borne 
by twelve English sailors — picked men, of 
good repute, from H. M. S. Hotspur, then 
lying in the river — and was followed by the 
Governor-General, the Lieutenant-Governor, 
the Members of Council, the Judges of the 
Supreme Court, the Secretaries, many civil 
and military officers, almost all the clergy 
and missionaries, and a large concourse of 
people of all classes, male and female. In 
28 



326 LIFE OF Bisnor WILSON. 

this order the solemn procession arrived at 
the gate of the cathedral, where it was pre- 
ceded by the Reverend Messrs. Moule and 
Burney, the former reading a portion of the 
burial service, till they entered the church, 
when the rest of the service was gone through 
by both of the clergymen above named. 
The doleful peals of the organ, at the conclu- 
sion of the service, added to the solemnity 
of the occasion; and though the cathedral 
was crowded to suffocation, the quiet main- 
tained throughout was admirable. Every 
one vied with his fellow to have a last part- 
ing look at the place where the venerable 
divine's remains were laid, and all seemed 
impressed with deep sorrow for the loss they 
had sustained. The coffin is laid immediate- 
ly under the communion-table, in a vault 
constructed for the purpose. The bells of all 
the Established churches sounded their sol- 
emn knell from three o'clock to the hour of 
burial. Thus ended the career of this pious 
and faithful servant of Christ. Overwhelmed 
with the care of his flock, he spared neither 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 327 

health nor comfort, at the advanced age of 
eighty, to watch over their spiritual interests, 
even to the last moment of his existence. 
His charitable disposition and kindness of 
heart will ever be remembered with feelings 
of deep and lasting gratitude. His end was 
peace. Well may he have said, with St. 
Paul, 'I have fought a good fight, I have 
finished my course, I have kept the faith. 
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown 
of righteousness, which the Lord, the right- 
eous Judge, shall give me in that day.' " 

" The Church of England in India," says 
another newspaper of the day, " when Bishop 
Wilson arrived, had few chaplains, few 
churches, imperfect organization, and no in- 
fluence beyond that which had been gained 
by Heber, Corrie, Martyn, and a few more, 
in a comparatively narrow circle. He saw 
the whole aspect of things changed, and the 
energy of the Christian community expand- 
ing with the increase of the diocese. His 
preaching in all parts of India, contributions 
to religious purposes, the example of his zeal, 



328 LIFE OF Bisnop WILSON. 

his firmness in resisting doctrinal error, his 
growing catholicity of spirit, and his private 
influence concurred powerfully with other 
causes to strengthen the English Church, to 
raise the tone of public sentiment, and to 
attract to India the atten1 : on of many who 
never had thought of her before. We do 
not propose to sketch minutely his public or 
his private character, but none who knew 
Bishop Wilson can have overlooked the 
steadfastness of his friendships, the warmth 
of his piety, the clearness of his views, the 
keenness of his sagacity, the power of his 
memory, and the undiminished vigor of his 
understanding to the close. 

"His acquaintance with many of the best 
men of bygone years had given him a fund 
of interesting knowledge, and his extensive 
experience of life enabled him to discern the 
characters of men with remarkably quick 
penetration. There have been many who 
have mistaken both his character and man- 
ner; many who have been unable to appre- 
ciate his sterling excellences and the dim- 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 329 

culties of his position ; many who have been 
offended by his preaching. . But his powers 
were as undoubted as his zeal ; and England 
will cherish his memory. Many such she 
has given to India for other kinds of public 
service, and recent intelligence has shown 
the promptitude of our countrymen to de- 
mand for them justice and rewards. But 
'peace hath her victories no less renowned 
than war.' and we doubt not that the finished 
course of this venerable servant of God will 
strike a chord in the heart of England, and 
kindle into life the latent energies of many 
who will emulate his faith and holiness." 

The Bishop left eight thousand volumes for 
the use of St. Paul's Cathedral ; and to his 
successors in office, his carriages, and many 
other things which would be useful to them. 
His legacies to various Church societies and 
benevolent institutions were large and liberal. 

This sketch of Bishop Wilson would hardly 

be complete without a brief reference to his 

peculiarities. " He suffered them to grow," 

remarks Mr. Bateman, " and they became 

28* 



330 LIFE OF BISIIOP WILSON. 

marked features. It was not originality or 
eccentricity so much as peculiarity and 
oddity — an odd way of saying and doing odd 
things. And yet there, was something of 
originality in what was thus done and said- 
some thing of set purpose — something which 
gave point to the expression and took firm 
hold upon tin- memory. It was discernible 
in his conversation. To young chaplains, 
when first they arrived in India, he would 
say, 'Don't see the sun for two years.' 
' Don't cat t<>o much — don't stuff.' 'The most 
healthy complexion for India is that of a 
l>oi Km 1 chicken. The great secret of health 
is a contented mind.' " 

Speaking of a missionary who had sought 
and obtained a chaplaincy, he said, " Ah ! 
he was a true missionary ; perhaps there was 
not a better in India. But Satan and Eve 
have persuaded him to quit the work." 

One of the chaplains in the upper prov- 
inces had preached a sermon, in his presence, 
strongly directed against Calvinism. The 
argument was elaborate, and claimed to be 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 331 

triumphant. The Bishop said nothing at 
the time ; but when about to step into his 
palanquin and leave the station, he shook 
hands kindly with the chaplain's wife, and 
thanked her for her courtesy, adding, " Please 
to tell your husband that he has not settled 
that question." 

He would often join together a commenda- 
tion and a caution. Thus, introducing a 
chaplain to the Governor, he mentioned him 
as one " who bids fair to be very valuable to 
us, if only God keeps him humble." 

It appeared in his actions. When ill, 
once, at Serampore, and unable to join the 
dinner-circle, a little portion had been sent 
into his study. He had just eaten it, when 
the doctor called to inquire after his health. 
" How are you now, my lord ?" " Better, 
thank you. I have been eating a little din- 
ner." " It will be well for you, then, to lie 
down by-and-by, and rest for an hour or two." 
He rang his hand-bell, and when the servants 
appeared, said, " Lord Sahib sota" (the Lord 
Bishop sleeps). The next instant he had left 



332 LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 

the study, lain down in hi6 bed, and covered 
himself up for Bleep, leaving the doctor 
amazed at the sudden result of his prescrip- 
tion. 

It characterized his expositions of Scrip- 
tare. One of his chaplains was ordered up 
to the Punjaub, but his wife was unwilling 
. In the course of the morning's read- 
ing Li happened that this passage occurred : 
"Having his children and his household in 
subjection with all gravity." "Now," said 
the Bishop, commenting on ir, ,k I don't call 
it having his household in subjection with all 
gravity, when one of my chaplains is ordered 
up to Lahore, and his wife says she won't go." 

It sometimes appeared in his family devo- 
tions. Not that they were too familiar— for 
familiarity is the mark of a child, and God 
was indeed his Father and his Friend — but 
he went very much into detail, and ran 
sometimes into discussion and narration. 
He would tell how this thing happened, or 
that; why he had done this, and wdiy that. 
If he returned thanks for deliverance from 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 333 

shipwreck, he would tell how the vessel 
rolled, and the boiler burst, and the passen- 
gers were obliged to hold by post and rail. 

" I am so surprised at the Bishop's pray- 
ers," said a lady who was staying at the 
palace ; " are they really prayers ?" "I will 
tell him what you say," said his chaplain, 
" and ask him your question." "Tell her," 
said the Bishop, when this purpose was car- 
ried into effect, " to read her Bible, and mark 
the prayers of Moses, David, Isaiah, Jere- 
miah, Daniel, E"ehemiah, and others; she 
will find that discussion and narration is tho 
basis of prayer. All these talked with God." 

As for his faults, they will have been dis- 
cerned by the reader long ago. IsTo attempt 
has been made to disguise or conceal them. 
They all lay upon the side of hasty impulse, 
quick action, sharp words, want of considera- 
tion for others, a sanguine temperament, 
something of egotism, and occasional inaccu- 
racy of statement. If the reader has the 
heart to dwell upon them after the deep self- 
abasement they have caused and the lowly 



334 



LIFE OF BISHOP WILSON. 



confessions they have called forth, lie is of 
course at Liberty to do bo. They are Dot 
denied. All with whom the Bishop came in 

et have fell them m their turns; but all 
with i rd enshrined his memory in 

their hearts; all revere his name; all ac- 

Ledge his worth; all assert his piety; 
all would fain tread in his steps; all say, 
with Allan Webb, apostrophizing his lifeless 
body* "A Brave and Noble Soldier; a 
V\ . . . Bold Leader. I Esteem it the 

Ol MY Li IK TO HAVE 

\ AND L<>\ ED UiM." 





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